54th Grammy Awards Winners


Record of the Year
"Rolling in the Deep" – Adele
Paul Epworth, producer; Tom Elmhirst & Mark Rankin, engineers/mixers

Album of the Year
21 – Adele
Jim Abbiss, Adele Adkins, Paul Epworth, Rick Rubin, Fraser T. Smith, Ryan Tedder & Dan Wilson, producers; Jim Abbiss, Philip Allen, Beatriz Artola, Ian Dowling, Tom Elmhirst, Greg Fidelman, Dan Parry, Steve Price, Mark Rankin, Andrew Scheps, Fraser T. Smith & Ryan Tedder, engineers/mixers; Tom Coyne, mastering engineer

Song of the Year
"Rolling in the Deep"
Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele)

Best New Artist
Bon Iver

Best Pop Solo Performance
"Someone Like You" – Adele

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
"Body and Soul" – Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse

Best Pop Instrumental Album
The Road from Memphis – Booker T. Jones

Best Pop Vocal Album
21 – Adele

Best Dance Recording
"Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" – Skrillex
Sonny Moore, producer & mixer

Best Dance/Electronica Album
Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites – Skrillex

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Duets II – Tony Bennett

Best Rock Performance
"Walk" – Foo Fighters

Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance
"White Limo" – Foo Fighters

Best Rock Song
"Walk" – Foo Fighters, songwriters (Foo Fighters)

Best Rock Album
Wasting Light – Foo Fighters

Best Alternative Music Album
Bon Iver, Bon Iver – Bon Iver

Best R&B Performance
"Is This Love" – Corinne Bailey Rae

Best Traditional R&B Performance
"Fool for You" – Cee Lo Green featuring Melanie Fiona

Best R&B Song
"Fool for You"
Cee Lo Green & Jack Splash, songwriters (Cee Lo Green featuring Melanie Fiona)

Best R&B Album
F.A.M.E. – Chris Brown

Best Rap Performance
"Otis" – Jay-Z & Kanye West featuring Otis Redding

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
"All of the Lights" – Kanye West featuring Rihanna, Fergie & Kid Cudi

Best Rap Song
"All of the Lights"
Jeff Bhasker, Fergie, Really Doe, Kanye West & Malik Yusef, songwriters (Kanye West featuring Rihanna, Fergie & Kid Cudi)

Best Rap Album
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – Kanye West

Best Country Solo Performance
"Mean" – Taylor Swift

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
"Barton Hollow" – The Civil Wars

Best Country Song
"Mean"
Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)

Best Country Album
Own the Night – Lady Antebellum

Best New Age Album
What's It All About – Pat Metheny

Best Improvised Jazz Solo
"500 Miles High" – Chick Corea

Best Jazz Vocal Album
The Mosaic Project – Terri Lyne Carrington & Various Artists

Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Forever – Corea, Clarke & White

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
The Good Feeling – Christian McBride Big Band

Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance
"Jesus" – Le'Andria Johnson

Best Gospel Song
"Hello Fear"
Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)

Best Contemporary Christian Music Song
"Blessings"
Laura Story, songwriter (Laura Story)

Best Gospel Album
Hello Fear – Kirk Franklin

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
And If Our God Is for Us... – Chris Tomlin

Best Latin Pop, Rock or Urban Album
Drama y Luz – Maná

Best Regional Mexican or Tejano Album
Bicentenario – Pepe Aguilar

Best Banda or Norteño Album
MTV Unplugged: Los Tigres del Norte and Friends – Los Tigres del Norte

Best Tropical Latin Album
The Last Mambo – Cachao

Best Americana Album
Ramble at the Ryman – Levon Helm

Best Bluegrass Album
Paper Airplane – Alison Krauss & Union Station

Best Blues Album
Revelator – Tedeschi Trucks Band

Best Folk Album
Barton Hollow – The Civil Wars

Best Regional Roots Music Album
Rebirth of New Orleans – Rebirth Brass Band

Best Reggae Album
Revelation Pt 1: The Root of Life – Stephen Marley

Best World Music Album
Tassili – Tinariwen

Best Children's Album
All About Bullies... Big and Small – Various Artists

Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Story Telling)
If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't) – Betty White

Best Comedy Album
Hilarious – Louis C.K.

Best Musical Theater Album
The Book of Mormon: Original Broadway Cast Recording
Josh Gad & Andrew Rannells, principal soloists; Anne Garefino, Robert Lopez, Stephen Oremus, Trey Parker, Scott Rudin & Matt Stone, producers; Robert Lopez, Trey Parker & Matt Stone, composers/lyricists

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
Boardwalk Empire Volume 1 – Various Artists

Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media
The King's Speech
Alexandre Desplat, composer

Best Song Written for Visual Media
"I See the Light" (from Tangled)
Alan Menken & Glenn Slater, songwriters (Mandy Moore & Zachary Levi)

Best Instrumental Composition
"Life in Eleven"
Béla Fleck & Howard Levy, composers (Béla Fleck and the Flecktones)

Best Instrumental Arrangement
"Rhapsody in Blue"
Gordon Goodwin, arranger (Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band)

Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)
"Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)"
Jorge Calandrelli, arranger (Tony Bennett & Queen Latifah)

Best Recording Package
Scenes from The Suburbs
Vincent Morisset, art director (Arcade Fire)

Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package
The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story
Dave Bett & Michelle Holme, art directors (Bruce Springsteen)

Best Album Notes
Hear Me Howling!: Blues, Ballads & Beyond as Recorded by the San Francisco Bay by Chris Strachwitz in the 1960s
Adam Machado, album notes writer (Various Artists)

Best Historical Album
Band on the Run (Paul McCartney Archive Collection – Deluxe Edition)
Paul McCartney, compilation producer; Sam Okell & Steve Rooke, mastering engineers (Paul McCartney & Wings)

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
Paper Airplane
Mike Shipley, engineer; Brad Blackwood, mastering engineer (Alison Krauss & Union Station)

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Paul Epworth
"Call It What You Want" (Foster the People) (T)
"I Would Do Anything for You" (Foster the People) (T)
"I'll Be Waiting" (Adele) (T)
"Life on the Nickel" (Foster the People) (T)
"No One's Gonna Love You" (Cee Lo Green) (S)
"Rolling in the Deep" (Adele) (T)

Best Remixed Recording
"Cinema" (Skrillex Remix)
Skrillex, remixer (Benny Benassi featuring Gary Go)

Best Surround Sound Album
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (Super Deluxe Edition)
Elliot Scheiner, surround mix engineer; Bob Ludwig, surround mastering engineer; Bill Levenson & Elliot Scheiner, surround producers (Derek and the Dominos)

Best Engineered Album, Classical
Aldridge: Elmer Gantry
Byeong-Joon Hwang & John Newton, engineers; Jesse Lewis, mastering engineer (William Boggs, Keith Phares, Patricia Risley, Vale Rideout, Frank Kelley, Heather Buck, Florentine Opera Chorus & Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra)

Producer of the Year, Classical
Judith Sherman
Adams: Son of Chamber Symphony; String Quartet (John Adams, St. Lawrence String Quartet & International Contemporary Ensemble)
Capricho Latino (Rachel Barton Pine)
85th Birthday Celebration (Claude Frank)
Insects & Paper Airplanes – Chamber Music of Lawrence Dillon (Daedalus Quartet & Benjamin Hochman)
Midnight Frolic – The Broadway Theater Music of Louis A. Hirsch (Rick Benjamin & Paragon Ragtime Orchestra)
Notable Women – Trios by Today's Female Composers (Lincoln Trio)
The Soviet Experience, Vol. 1 – String Quartets by Dmitri Shostakovich & His Contemporaries (Pacifica Quartet)
Speak! (Anthony De Mare)
State of the Art – The American Brass Quintet at 50 (The American Brass Quintet)
Steve Reich: WTC 9/11; Mallet Quartet; Dance Patterns (Kronos Quartet, Steve Reich Musicians & So Percussion)
Winging It – Piano Music of John Corigliano (Ursula Oppens)

Best Orchestral Performance
"Brahms: Symphony No. 4"
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor (Los Angeles Philharmonic)

Best Opera Recording
"Adams: Doctor Atomic"
Alan Gilbert, conductor; Meredith Arwady, Sasha Cooke, Richard Paul Fink, Gerald Finley, Thomas Glenn & Eric Owens; Jay David Saks, producer (Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; Metropolitan Opera Chorus)

Best Choral Performance
"Light & Gold"
Eric Whitacre, conductor (Christopher Glynn & Hila Plitmann; The King's Singers, Laudibus, Pavão Quartet & The Eric Whitacre Singers)

Best Small Ensemble Performance
"Mackey: Lonely Motel – Music from Slide" – Rinde Eckert & Steven Mackey; Eighth Blackbird

Best Classical Instrumental Solo
"Schwantner: Concerto for Percussion & Orchestra"
Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor; Christopher Lamb (Nashville Symphony)

Best Classical Vocal Solo
"Diva Divo"
Joyce DiDonato (Kazushi Ono; Orchestre De L'Opéra National De Lyon; Choeur De L'Opéra National De Lyon)

Best Contemporary Classical Composition

Best Short Form Music Video
Sam Brown, video director; Hannah Chandler, video producer


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BoBA 2012 ISML Predictions: Seeding Round, Day 1

ARENA 01: Aisaka Taiga Akiyama Mio Katsura Hinagiku [Misaka Mikoto] Nagato Yuki Nakano Azusa Saber Sengoku Nadeko Senjōgahara Hitagi [Shana] Suzumiya Haruhi Tōsaka Rin
Over/Under: 20000
Over

ARENA 02: Hoshii Miki [Inui Sana] Iwasawa Asami [Kanzaki H. Aria] Laura Bodewig Mine Riko Shinomiya Ayase Shinonome Hakase Toshinō Kyōko
Over/Under: 20000
Over

ARENA 03: [Asahina Mikuru] Chrome Dokuro Erza Scarlet Kagura Louise Vallière Sakurano Kurimu [Shirai Kuroko] Suigintō Yin
Over/Under: 20000
Over

ARENA 04: Amaha Miu Aragaki Ayase Hakamada Hinata [Haqua du Lot Herminium] Kaga Rin Kunieda Aoi [Makise Kurisu] Matsumae Ohana Yune
Over/Under: 20000
Over

ARENA 05: Chii [Fate Testarossa] Hinamori Amu Ikaros [Index L. Prohibitorum] Isayama Yomi Lala Satalin Deviluke Oshino Shinobu Ryōgi Shiki
Over/Under: 20000
Over

ARENA 06: Haruna Hotogi Shirayuki Inami Mahiru [Mikazuki Yozora] Oikawa Tsurara Shinonome Nano Shionji Yūko (Alice) [Suzutsuki Kanade] Taneshima Poplar
Over/Under: 20000
Over

ARENA 07: Alice Enma Ai [Fujibayashi Kyō] Hiiragi Tsukasa Kamio Misuzu Saginomiya Isumi [Sakagami Tomoyo] Saten Ruiko Shiina Mafuyu
Over/Under: 20000
Over

ARENA 08: Akaza Akari Ayase Chihaya Ayuzawa Misaki [Fear Kubrick] Miki Sayaka Sakura Kyōko [Tomoe Mami] Uryū Minene Yarizui Sen
Over/Under: 20000
Over

ARENA 09: [C.C.] Furude Rika Hecate [Hiiragi Kagami] Hoshina Utau Kawasumi Mai Kotegawa Yui Okazaki Ushio Uiharu Kazari

Over/Under: 20000
Over
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ISML 2012: The Next 12 Preliminary Winners...













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ISML 2012: Preliminaries Phase I Concludes


ISML 2012: Preliminaries Phase I Concludes


By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)
February 24, 2012

There were no surprises on the final day of the first phase of the 2012 International Saimoe League preliminaries, as all of the favorites punched their respective tickets to the regular season proper.

Mikoto Misaka was expected to fly by everyone in Stella Group 1, and that she did, amassing 4449 votes. Yui Hirasawa was second with 3347 votes and Ikaros was third with 2625 votes. Yuki Nagato, the de facto face of the Haruhi Suzumiya franchise, secured her spot in the ISML with 4546 votes in Stella Group 2. Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere was second with 3179 votes and Kotomi Ichinose was third with 2341 votes.

Azusa Nakano was expected to clinch Stella Group 3, and she was the one that amassed the most votes of any group winner, winning 4819 votes.  Nagi Sanzenin was second with 2724 votes, while Ui Hirasawa recorded 2147 votes to finish third. Shana was expected to torch by her competition in Stella Group 4, and her 4742 votes confirmed the argument. Konota Izumi recorded 2777 votes to finish second, while Mikuru Asahina won 2542 votes to finish third.

Taiga Aisaka was going to to have it easy in Stella Group 5, and as expected, she won the group handily with 4701 votes. Shinobu Oshino was second with 3209 votes, while Index L. Prohibotorum was third with 2148 votes. Hinagiku Katsura, historically, has flown the flag for Hayate the Combat Butler, and she won 4110 votes to seal her place in the regular season. Kagami Hiiragi was second with 2978 votes, Mafuyu Shiina was third with 2534 votes.

The veterans were not restricted to the Stella Division. Due to the rules regarding window of eligibility, veterans designated to the Nova Division also earned their place. Victorique de Blois, the franchise character from GOSICK< won 3592 votes to finish first in Nova Group 7. Shirayuki Hotogi was second with 2564 votes, and Meiko Honma was third witrh 2468 votes.

Kirino Kousaka captured her place in the main draw with 3965 votes to win Nova Group 8. Subaru Konoe was third with 2565 votes, whiile Mizuki Himeji was third with 2381 votes. One of three true newcomers to the tournament is Kobato Hasegawa, Kodaka's sister from Haganai. With her 3814 votes, she won Nova Group 9 and a place in the main draw. Kurisu Makise was second with 3137 votes, while Minami SHimada was third with 2274 votes.

Mato Kuroi, the Black Rock Shooter herself, shot her way to a return to the ISML regular season, winning 3572 votes to win Nova Group 10. Aria Holmes Kanzaki was second with 3035 votes, while Misaki Ayuzawa was third with 2016 votes.

Sena Kashiwazaki is arguably the breadwinner for Haganai, alongside Kobato. She won 3775 votes to seal up Nova Group 11. Inori Yuzuriha was second with 3124 votes. Kanon Nakagawa was third with 2346 votes.

Finally, there will be at least one Puella Magi in the 2012 International Saimoe League. And who better to represent the hopes of the show of 2011 in Japan than Homura Akemi. Nova Group 12 proved to be the most even of contests, but her 3392 votes was enough to secure a spot in the draw. Irisviel von Einzbern was second with 2944 votes, while Shouko Kirishima was third with 2718 votes.

The Seeding Round will take place on February 26 and February 28. Preliminary action resumes on March 11, 2012 with Match Day 7, Day 1 of Phase II. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

EARLY BoBA INTERNATIONAL SAIMOE LEAGUE TIARA ODDS 
As of February 24, 2012, 8:38 p.m. PT


Shana 1-5
Azusa Nakano 4-5
Mikoto Misaka EVEN
Kanade Tachibana 2-1
Sena Kashiwazaki 5-1
Ruri Gokou 7-1
Hinagiku Katsura 8-1
Yuki Nagato 9-1
Mio Akiyama 10-1
Homura Akemi 11-1
Eucliwood Hellscythe 13-1
Taiga Aisaka 15-1
Yui 18-1
Hitagi Senjougahara 19-1
Charlotte Dunois 20-1
Haruhi Suzumiya 21-1
Kobato Hasegawa 22-1
Kirino Kousaka 23-1
Yuri Nakamura 25-1
Victorique de Blois 30-1
Nadeko Sengoku 35-1
Saber 40-1
Rin Tosaka 45-1
Mato Kuroi 50-1
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ISML 2012: The First 12 In...













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BoBA 2012 ISML Predictions: Preliminaries Match Day 6

ARENA 01: Alice [Hirasawa Yui] Hyūga Hinata Ikaros Kinomoto Sakura Kotegawa Yui [Misaka Mikoto]
Over/Under: 20000
Under


ARENA 02: Furude Rika Haibara Ai Hoshina Utau Ichinose Kotomi Kawashima Ami [Louise Vallière] [Nagato Yuki]

Over/Under: 20000
Under


ARENA 03: Hirasawa Ui Ibuki Fūko Kamio Misuzu Lucy Heartfilia [Nakano Azusa] [Sanzen'in Nagi] Suiseiseki

Over/Under: 20000
Under


ARENA 04: Asahina Mikuru Hinamori Amu [Izumi Konata] Lala Satalin Deviluke Ryūgū Rena [Shana] Takamachi Nanoha

Over/Under: 20000
Under


ARENA 05: [Aisaka Taiga] Hecate [Index L. Prohibitorum] Kuronuma Sawako Oshino Shinobu Uiharu Kazari Yin

Over/Under: 20000
Under


ARENA 06: Chrome Dokuro [Hiiragi Kagami] [Katsura Hinagiku] Kuchiki Rukia Ryōgi Shiki Saginomiya Isumi Shiina Mafuyu

Over/Under: 20000
Under


ARENA 07: [Honma Meiko] Horizon Ariadust (P-01s) Hotogi Shirayuki Kaga Rin Shinonome Hakase Tomoe Mami [Victorique de Blois]

Over/Under: 20000
Under


ARENA 08: Himeji Mizuki Kasugano Sora [Konoe Subaru] [Kōsaka Kirino] Oshimizu Nako Ueno Kirika Uryū Minene

Over/Under: 20000
Under


ARENA 09: Amaha Miu Amami Haruka Gasai Yuno [Hasegawa Kobato] [Makise Kurisu] Shimada Minami Toshinō Kyōko

Over/Under: 20000
Under


ARENA 10: Ayuzawa Misaki Ika-Musume [Kanzaki H. Aria] [Kuroi Mato] Reki Sena Airi Shionji Yūko (Alice)

Over/Under: 20000
Under


ARENA 11: Hoshii Miki [Kashiwazaki Sena] Matsumae Ohana Nakagawa Kanon Nanasaki Ai Tsugumi [Yuzuriha Inori]

Over/Under: 20000
Under


ARENA 12: [Akemi Homura] Inui Sana [Irisviel von Einzbern] Kirishima Shōko Kunieda Aoi Oikawa Tsurara Shinomiya Ayase

Over/Under: 20000
Under
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ISML 2012: First 12 qualifiers are in!





ISML 2012: First 12 qualifiers are in!


By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)
February 22, 2012

The first 12 winners in the 2012 International Saimoe League are officially revealed. And every one of the winners is a veteran

In Nova Group 1, Kanade "Tenshi" Tachibana amassed 5176 votes to return to the ISML. Elucia De Lute Irma is second with 2575 votes and Riko Mine is third with 2328 votes.

Ruri Gokou will also return to the ISML after winning 4666 votes in Nova Group 2. Shiori Shiomiya was second with 2463 votes. Ayase Aragaki was third with 2304 votes.

Another returnee to the show is Eucliwood Hellscythe, who won 3966 votes in Nova Group 3 to finish first. Erio Towa was second with 3105 votes, while Asami Iwasawa was third with 2602 votes.

Yui is also coming back. She won Nova Group 4 with 3993 votes. Yozora Mikazuki was second with 2868 votes and Haqua du Lot Herminium was third with 2503 votes.

Also on the comeback trail is Yuri Nakamura, who recorded 3802 votes to finish first in Nova Group 5. Kyouko Sakura was second with 2631 votes. Madoka Kaname was third with 2271 votes.

Charlotte Dunois will most likely be the only returning face from Infinite Stratos. The face of IS won 3442 to finish first in Nova Group 6. Fear Kubrick was second with 2488 votes and Kanade Suzutsuki was third with 2430 votes.

Mio Akiyama's support has always been consistent in the ISML, and her 4351 votes in Stella Group 7 made the point crystal-clear. Holo was second with 2818 votes and Tsumugi Kotobuki was third with 2399 votes.

Haruhi Suzumiya was a runaway winner in Stella 8 with 4311 votes. Illyasviel von Einzbern was second with 3142 votes. Ushio Okazaki was third with 2289 votes.

Hitagi Senjougahara had a tough test against Tomoyo Sakagami, but prevailed 3540-3032 to win Stella Group 9. Kuroko Shirai was third with 2337 votes.

In Stella Group 10, Nadeko Sengoku completed a Bakemonogatari double with 3490 votes. Kyou Fujibayashi was second with 2590 votes and Nagisa Furukawa was third with 2389 votes.

Saber slashed her way to a ISML regular appearance with 4008 voted to win Stella Group 11. C.C. was second with 2576 votes and Konjiki no Yami was third with 2504 votes.

Finally, in Stella Group 12, Rin Tosaka outlasted Last Order 3280-3047 to clinch her spot in the ISML regular season. Nymph was third with 2576 votes.

The next 12 spots are up for grabs in the 2012 International Saimoe League Preliminaries Phase I. Match Day 6 is scheduled for February 23, 2012. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

EARLY BoBA INTERNATIONAL SAIMOE LEAGUE 
TIARA ODDS 
As of February 22, 2012, 11:42 p.m. PT


Kanade Tachibana 2-1
Ruri Gokou 7-1
Mio Akiyama 10-1
Eucliwood Hellscythe 13-1
Yui 18-1
Hitagi Senjougahara 19-1
Charlotte Dunois 20-1
Haruhi Suzumiya 21-1
Yuri Nakamura 25-1
Nadeko Sengoku 34-1
Saber 37-1
Rin Tosaka 45-1



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BoBA 2012 ISML Predictions: Preliminaries Match Day 5

ARENA 01: Elucia de Lute Irma [Mine Riko] Shinonono Hōki [Tachibana Kanade] Takakura Himari Tsurugi Minko Wendy Marvell
Over/Under: 17600
Over

ARENA 02: [Aragaki Ayase] [Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko)] Inami Mahiru Miki Sayaka Minato Tomoka Shinonome Nano Shiomiya Shiori

Over/Under: 17600
Over


ARENA 03: Ayase Chihaya Dalian [Eucliwood Hellscythe] Iwasawa Asami Morishima Haruka Shiina Mayuri [Tōwa Erio]
Over/Under: 17600
Over

ARENA 04: Akaza Akari Haqua du Lot Herminium Haruna [Mikazuki Yozora] Taneshima Poplar [Yui] Yune
Over/Under: 17600
Over

ARENA 05: Astarotte Ygvar [Kaname Madoka] Laura Bodewig [Nakamura Yuri] Sakura Kyōko Takahara Ayumi Yarizui Sen
Over/Under: 17600
Over

ARENA 06: Anjō Naruko [Charlotte Dunois] Fear Kubrick Hakamada Hinata Kisaragi Chihaya Suzutsuki Kanade [Yamada Aoi]
Over/Under: 17600
Over

ARENA 07: [Akiyama Mio] Chii Erza Scarlet Evangeline A.K. McDowell [Holo] Kotobuki Tsumugi Tsukimiya Ayu
Over/Under: 17600
Over

ARENA 08: Ayanami Rei [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Kōzuki Kallen Okazaki Ushio Shinku [Suzumiya Haruhi] Yūki Mikan
Over/Under: 17600
Over

ARENA 09: Isayama Yomi Kawasumi Mai Kushieda Minori [Sakagami Tomoyo] [Senjōgahara Hitagi] Shirai Kuroko Tainaka Ritsu
Over/Under: 17600
Over

ARENA 10: Fate Testarossa Fujibayashi Kyō [Furukawa Nagisa] Hanato Kobato Saten Ruiko [Sengoku Nadeko] Sōryū Asuka Langley
Over/Under: 17600
Over

ARENA 11: [C.C.] Enma Ai Kagura Konjiki no Yami Maria [Saber] Sakurano Kurimu
Over/Under: 17600
Over

ARENA 12: Hanekawa Tsubasa Hiiragi Tsukasa Kanzaki Kaori [Last Order] Nymph Suigintō [Tōsaka Rin]

Over/Under: 17600
Over
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ISML 2012: Preliminaries roll on with expected results all around


ISML 2012: Preliminaries roll on with expected results all around


By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)
February 20, 2012

The expected of candidates earned the highest tallies in the respective groups on Match Day 4 of the first phase of the 2012 International Saimoe League Preliminaries.

In Stella Group 1, Mikoto Misaka amassed 4557 votes to finish first. Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere recorded 3036 votes to finish second and Ui Hirasawa was third with 2648 votes.

In Stella Group 2, Yuki Nagato recorded 4488 votes to finish first. Nagi Sanzenin was second with 2639 votes and Mikuru Asahina earned 2574 votes to end up third. Stella Group 3 saw Azusa Nakano run away with this one, earning 4770 votes. Konata Izumi was second with 2704 votes. Index L. Prohibitorum recorded 2471 votes to finish third.

In Stella Group 4, Shana was first with 4586 votes. Shinobu Oshino was second with 3166 votes. Mafuyu Shiina was third with 2069 votes. Stella Group 5 saw Taiga Aisaka earn the most votes of the Stella candidates with 4799 votes. Kagami Hiiragi was second with 2538 votes and Tsumugi Kotobuki was third with 2352 votes.

In Stella Group 6, Hinagiku Katsura was first with 3891 votes. Holo was second with 2860 votes and Ushio Okazaki was third with 2435 votes.

Victorique de Blois was first in Nova Group 7, earning 3649 votes. Subaru Konoe was second with 2665 votes. Yuno Gasai was third with 2542 votes. Kirino Kousaka dominated Nova Group 8 with 3624 votes. Kurisu Makise was second with 3286 votes and Misaki Ayuzawa was third with 2289 votes.

In Nova Group 9, Kobato Hasegawa won 3956 votes to finish first. Aria Holmes Kanzaki was second with 3340 votes and Kanon Nakagawa came in second with 2338 votes. Nova Group 10 was led by Mato Kuroi, who recorded 3751 votes. Inori Yuzuriha was second with 2147 votes and Shouko Kirishima was third with 2587 votes.

Sena Kashiwazaki rolled in Nova Group 11, winning 3542 votes. Irisviel Von Einzbern recorded 2747 votes while Elucia De Lute Irma came in second with 2548 votes. Finally, Homura Akemi was in Nova Group 12, earning 3528 votes. Riko Mine was second with 2879 votes. Ayase Aragaki came in third with 2745 votes.

Match Day 5 of the first phase in the 2012 International Saimoe League Preliminaries is scheduled for February 21, 2012. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
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BoBA 2012 ISML Predictions: Preliminaries Match Day 4

ARENA 01: Hirasawa Ui [Louise Vallière] [Misaka Mikoto] Ryōgi Shiki Takamachi Nanoha Tsukimiya Ayu Yin
Over/Under: 17500
Over

ARENA 02: [Asahina Mikuru] Chrome Dokuro Evangeline A.K. McDowell Hecate [Nagato Yuki] Sanzen'in Nagi Shinku
Over/Under: 17500
Over

ARENA 03: Chii Index L. Prohibitorum Isayama Yomi [Izumi Konata] Kōzuki Kallen [Nakano Azusa] Saginomiya Isumi
Over/Under: 17500
Over

ARENA 04: Ayanami Rei Erza Scarlet Hanato Kobato Kawasumi Mai Oshino Shinobu [Shana] [Shiina Mafuyu]
Over/Under: 17500
Over

ARENA 05: [Aisaka Taiga] Enma Ai [Hiiragi Kagami] Kotobuki Tsumugi Kushieda Minori Sōryū Asuka Langley Yūki Mikan
Over/Under: 17500
Over

ARENA 06: [Holo] Kagura [Katsura Hinagiku] Okazaki Ushio Saten Ruiko Shirai Kuroko Suigintō
Over/Under: 17500
Over

ARENA 07: [Gasai Yuno] Konoe Subaru Oikawa Tsurara Shionji Yūko (Alice) Takakura Himari Tsugumi [Victorique de Blois]
Over/Under: 17500
Over

ARENA 08: Ayuzawa Misaki [Kōsaka Kirino] Kunieda Aoi [Makise Kurisu] Matsumae Ohana Shinonome Nano Tsurugi Minko
Over/Under: 17500
Over

ARENA 09: Ayase Chihaya [Hasegawa Kobato] Inami Mahiru [Kanzaki H. Aria] Nakagawa Kanon Shinomiya Ayase Wendy Marvell
Over/Under: 17500
Over

ARENA 10: Kirishima Shōko [Kuroi Mato] Miki Sayaka Morishima Haruka Shinonono Hōki Yune [Yuzuriha Inori]
Over/Under: 17500
Over

ARENA 11: Elucia de Lute Irma Irisviel von Einzbern [Kashiwazaki Sena] Minato Tomoka [Shiina Mayuri] Takahara Ayumi Taneshima Poplar
Over/Under: 17500
Over

ARENA 12: Akaza Akari [Akemi Homura] [Aragaki Ayase] Astarotte Ygvar Dalian Kisaragi Chihaya Mine Riko
Over/Under: 17500
Over
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ISML 2012: Angel Beats projected to return this season


ISML 2012: Angel Beats projected to return this season


By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)
February 17, 2012

Yui, Kanade Tachibana and Yuri Nakamura have one more match to deal with, but it is certain that they will be on their way to the 2012 International Saimoe League regular season.

In Nova 1, Tachibana earned 5464 votes to finish first. Shiori Shiomiya was second with 2254 votes and Asami Iwasawa was third with 2125 votes. In Nova 4, Yui won 4163 votes to end up first. Madoka Kaname may have to wait until Phase II to qualify, coming in second with 2682 votes. Kanade Suzutsuki was third with 2499 votes.

Nakamura finished first in Nova 5 with 3763 votes. Fear Kubrick was second with 2411 votes and Mami Tomoe ended up third with 2408 votes.

other notable faces from last year ran it up in the Nova. Ruri Gokou is on track for a return after amassing 4508 votes. Erio Towa was second with 2981 votes. Haqua du Lot Herminium was third with 2539 votes.

In Nova 3, Eucliwood Hellscythe cruised with 4067 votes to her name. Yozora Mikazuki was second with 2980 votes. Kyouko Sakura was third with 2799 votes.

In Nova 6, the face of Infinite Stratos, Charlotte Dunois, won 3424 votes to finish first. Meiko Honma was second with 2569 votes. Mizuki Himeji was third wit 2183 votes.

In Stella 7, Mio Akiyama moved one step closer to another go at the regular season with 4412 votes. Illyasviel von Einzbern was second with 3011 votes and Ritsu Tainaka was third with 2078 votes.

Haruhi Suzumiya flexed the guns in Stella 8 with 4213 votes. Tomoyo Sakagami was second with 2979 votes. Kyou Fujibayashi was third with 2693 votes. Hitagi Senjougahara was all business in Stella 9, recording 3755 votes. Nagisa Furukawa was second with 2884 votes. Konjiki no Yami was third with 2576 votes.

In Stella 10, Nadeko Sengoku earned 3813 votes to finish first. C.C. was second with 2954 votes and Nymph was third with 2628 votes. Saber outdueled Rin Tosaka in Stella 11 3995-3070, while Ikaros finished a distant third with 2758 votes.

In Stella 12, Last Order recorded 3510 votes to come out on top. Yui Hirasawa recorded 3476 votes, while Kotomi Ichinose came in third with 2362 votes.

Match Day 4 of the 2012 International Saimoe League Preliminaries is scheduled for Sunday, February 19, 2012. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
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BoBA 2012 ISML Predictions: Preliminaries Match Day 3

ARENA 01: Anjō Naruko Haruna [Iwasawa Asami] Shinonome Hakase Shiomiya Shiori [Tachibana Kanade] Yarizui Sen
Over/Under: 17000
Over

ARENA 02: [Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko)] Haqua du Lot Herminium Horizon Ariadust (P-01s) Laura Bodewig Oshimizu Nako [Tōwa Erio] Yamada Aoi
Over/Under: 17000
Over

ARENA 03: Amami Haruka [Eucliwood Hellscythe] Hakamada Hinata Kaga Rin [Mikazuki Yozora] Sakura Kyōko Ueno Kirika
Over/Under: 17000
Over

ARENA 04: Amaha Miu Hotogi Shirayuki [Kaname Madoka] Sena Airi Suzutsuki Kanade Uryū Minene [Yui]
Over/Under: 17000
Over

ARENA 05: Fear Kubrick Hoshii Miki Kasugano Sora [Nakamura Yuri] Reki [Tomoe Mami] Toshinō Kyōko
Over/Under: 17000
Over

ARENA 06: [Charlotte Dunois] Himeji Mizuki Honma Meiko [Ika-Musume] Inui Sana Nanasaki Ai Shimada Minami
Over/Under: 17000
Over

ARENA 07: [Akiyama Mio] Fate Testarossa Hanekawa Tsubasa Hyūga Hinata [Illyasviel von Einzbern] Sakurano Kurimu Tainaka Ritsu
Over/Under: 17000
Over

ARENA 08: Alice Fujibayashi Kyō Hoshina Utau Kanzaki Kaori Maria [Sakagami Tomoyo] [Suzumiya Haruhi]
Over/Under: 17000
Over

ARENA 09: [Furukawa Nagisa] Haibara Ai Hiiragi Tsukasa Kamio Misuzu Konjiki no Yami Kotegawa Yui [Senjōgahara Hitagi]
Over/Under: 17000
Over

ARENA 10: [C.C.] Furude Rika Hinamori Amu Kinomoto Sakura Nymph [Sengoku Nadeko] Suiseiseki
Over/Under: 17000
Over

ARENA 11: Ikaros Kawashima Ami Kuronuma Sawako Lucy Heartfilia Ryūgū Rena [Saber] [Tōsaka Rin]
Over/Under: 17000
Over

ARENA 12: [Hirasawa Yui] Ibuki Fūko Ichinose Kotomi Kuchiki Rukia Lala Satalin Deviluke [Last Order] Uiharu Kazari

Over/Under: 17000
Over
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ISML 2012: Homura, Mikoto, Yuki, Shana cruise in Prelims


ISML 2012: Homura, Mikoto, Yuki, Shana cruise in Prelims


By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)
February 15, 2012

The usual suspects in the International Saimoe League have constant voting power that does not waver. An example of this: Match Day 2 of the Preliminaries, with familiar faces winning big.

In Stella 1, Mikoto Misaka was first with 5371 votes. Hecate was second with 2545 votes. Index Librorum Prohibitorum was third with 2542 votes.

Haruhi Suzumiya is not the face of Haruhi Suzumiya. That honor belongs to Yuki Nagato who dominated Stella 2 with 4783 votes. Konata Izumi was second with 2923 votes, while Mafuyu Shiina was third with 2460 votes.

K-ON! is a series whose relevance still rings true, and Azusa Nakano is a testament to that, earning 4974 votes to finish first in Stella 3. Shinobu Oshino was second with 3190 votes, while Tsumugi Kotobuki was third with 2266 votes.

Shana, a favorite by the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue to win the 2012 ISML crown, took the first step by finishing first in Stella 4 wit 5422 votes. Kagami Hiiragi was second with 3127 votes, while Kuroko Shirai was third with 2746 votes.

Taiga Aisaka is another veteran that is well-prepared to face the new faces from the Nova Division. She steamrolled past everyone in Stella 5 with 5360 votes. Holo was second with 2995 votes and Ritsu Tainaka came in third with 2279 votes.

Hinagiku Katsura is, without a doubt, the strongest character from Hayate the Combat Butler and her performance in  Stella 6 is an example, winning 4105 votes. Illyasviel von Einzbern was second with 3367 votes and Kyou Fujibayashi was third with 2849 votes.

With battle-tested veterans must come ambitious newcomers with potential. One of those: Victorique de Blois, although she is technically a veteran due to her participation last season. De Blois amassed 3886 votes in Nova 7. In second was Kurisu Makise with 3542 votes. Kanon Nakagawa was third with 2938 votes.

In Nova 8, another young veteran in Kirino Kousaka dominated a Nova group with 4118 votes. Aria Holmes Kanzaki was second with 3752 votes. Shouko Kirishima was third with 2862 votes.

Kobato Hasegawa is a new face that will be set to shine in the ISML. Hasegawa finished first in Nova 9 with 4244 votes. Mato Kuroi was second with 4042 votes, while Elucia de Lute Irma was third with 2913 votes.

The face of the hit show Guilty Crown is Inori Yuzuriha, and she won 3813 votes to finish first in Nova 10. Irisviel von Einzbern was second with 2885 votes, while Ayase Aragaki finished third with 2622 votes.

In Nova 11, Sena Kashiwazaki states her case to challenge the veterans, winning 4113 votes to finish first. Riko Mine was a distant second, securing just 2611 votes, while Haruna was a disappointing third, with only 2560 votes.

Homura Akemi, however, may go down as the biggest threat to come out of the Nova division, and the memory of her first-round defeat in the 2channel Anime Saimoe Tournament has stoked the flames for a shot at revenge. However, the Preliminaries take first priority this early in the Saimoe season, and Akemi won 3723 votes to finish first in Nova 12. Asami Iwasawa was second with 3123 votes. Haqua du Lot Herminium was third with 2983 votes.

Preliminary Period action in the 2012 International Saimoe League rolls on with Match Day 3, scheduled for February 16, 2012. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
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BoBA 2012 ISML Predictions: Preliminaries Match Day 2

ARENA 01: Erza Scarlet Hecate Hyūga Hinata [Index L. Prohibitorum] [Misaka Mikoto] Suigintō Yūki Mikan
Over/Under: 18000
Over

ARENA 02: Hanekawa Tsubasa Hoshina Utau Izumi Konata Kushieda Minori [Nagato Yuki] [Saten Ruiko] Shiina Mafuyu

Over/Under: 18000
Over


ARENA 03: Fate Testarossa Kamio Misuzu Kanzaki Kaori [Kotobuki Tsumugi] [Nakano Azusa] Okazaki Ushio Oshino Shinobu

Over/Under: 18000
Over


ARENA 04: Alice Haibara Ai [Hiiragi Kagami] Hinamori Amu Sakurano Kurimu [Shana] Shirai Kuroko

Over/Under: 18000
Over


ARENA 05: [Aisaka Taiga] [Holo] Kotegawa Yui Kuronuma Sawako Maria Suiseiseki Tainaka Ritsu

Over/Under: 18000
Over


ARENA 06: [Fujibayashi Kyō] Hiiragi Tsukasa Illyasviel von Einzbern [Katsura Hinagiku] Kinomoto Sakura Lala Satalin Deviluke Ryūgū Rena
Over/Under: 18000
Over

ARENA 07: Astarotte Ygvar [Makise Kurisu] Miki Sayaka Nakagawa Kanon Shiina Mayuri Shinonome Hakase [Victorique de Blois]
Over/Under: 18000
Over

ARENA 08: Akaza Akari Anjō Naruko [Kanzaki H. Aria] Kirishima Shōko [Kōsaka Kirino] Minato Tomoka Oshimizu Nako
Over/Under: 18000
Over

ARENA 09: Amami Haruka Dalian Elucia de Lute Irma [Hasegawa Kobato] Horizon Ariadust (P-01s) [Kuroi Mato] Yarizui Sen
Over/Under: 18000
Over

ARENA 10: [Aragaki Ayase] Irisviel von Einzbern Shiomiya Shiori Ueno Kirika Uryū Minene Yamada Aoi [Yuzuriha Inori]
Over/Under: 18000
Over

ARENA 11: Amaha Miu Haruna [Hoshii Miki] Kaga Rin [Kashiwazaki Sena] Laura Bodewig Mine Riko
Over/Under: 18000
Over

ARENA 12: [Akemi Homura] Hakamada Hinata [Haqua du Lot Herminium] Iwasawa Asami Nanasaki Ai Sena Airi Toshinō Kyōko

Over/Under: 18000
Over

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ISML 2012: Angel Beats back with a bang in Prelims


ISML 2012: Angel Beats back with a bang in Prelims


By JR Salazar (Bongaboi)
February 13, 2012

The 2012 International Saimoe League Preliminaries began with a bang, and the Angel Beats triumvirate of Yui, Kanade Tachibana and Yuri Nakamura came away big winners.

In Nova group 1, Tachibana racked up 5415 votes to finish first. Erio Towa was second with 2921 votes and Kyouko Sakura was third wit 2679 votes. Yui rolled through Nova group 4 with 4441 votes. Fear Kubrick was second with 2620 votes and Mizuki Himeji was third with 2473 votes. In Nova group 5, Nakamura amassed 3626 votes to finish first. Meiko Honma was second with 2871 votes. Subaru Konoe was third with 2457 votes.

In Nova group 2, Ruri Gokou continued from where she left off, winning 4189 votes. Yozora Mikazuki was second with 2756 votes. Kanade Suzutsuki was third with 2325 votes. In Nova group 3, Eucliwood Hellscythe was on top with 4399 votes. Madoka Kaname was second with 2739 votes. Sora Kasugano was third with 2494 votes.

In Nova group 6, Charlotte Dunois was first with 3655 votes. Yuno Gasai was second with 2742 votes. Ohana Matsumae was third with 2373 votes.

The Stella division features ISML veterans, and the usual suspects were at it again. In Stella 7, Mio Akiyama was dominant, winning 4290 votes. Tomoyo Sakagami was second with 3082 votes. Konjiki no Yami was third with 2436 votes. In Stella 8, Haruhi Suzumiya rolled past everyone, winning 4638 votes. Nagisa Furukawa won 3077 votes to finish second. Rika Furude was third with 1949 votes.

In Stella 9, Hitagi Senjougahara won 3792 votes to finish first. C.C. was second with 3043 votes. Ikaros was third with 3026 votes. In Stella 10, Nadeko Sengoku was on top with 3831 votes. In second was Rin Tosaka with 3442 votes. Kotomi Icinose was third with 2434 votes.

In Stella 11, Saber slashed her was to first place, winning 4064 votes. Last Order was second with 3084 votes. Ui Hirasawa was third with 2528 votes. Yui Hirasawa dominated Stella 12, winning 3821 votes. Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere won 3492 votes to finish second, while Mikuru Asahina was a distant third, garnering 2814 votes.

Match Day 2 of the 2012 International Saimoe League Preliminaries is scheduled for Tuesday, February 14, 2012. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
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BoBA 2012 ISML Predictions: Preliminaries, Match Day 1

ARENA 01: Hotogi Shirayuki Inui Sana Reki [Sakura Kyōko] [Tachibana Kanade] Takakura Himari Tōwa Erio
Over/Under: 10000
Over

ARENA 02: [Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko)] Mikazuki Yozora Shimada Minami Shinonome Nano Suzutsuki Kanade [Tomoe Mami] Tsugumi

Over/Under: 10000
Over


ARENA 03: Ayase Chihaya Eucliwood Hellscythe [Ika-Musume] [Kaname Madoka] Kasugano Sora Kunieda Aoi Oikawa Tsurara

Over/Under: 10000
Over


ARENA 04: [Fear Kubrick] Himeji Mizuki Inami Mahiru Shionji Yūko (Alice) Tsurugi Minko [Yui] Yune

Over/Under: 10000
Over


ARENA 05: Ayuzawa Misaki [Honma Meiko] Konoe Subaru Morishima Haruka [Nakamura Yuri] Shinomiya Ayase Takahara Ayumi

Over/Under: 10000
Over


ARENA 06: Charlotte Dunois [Gasai Yuno] Kisaragi Chihaya [Matsumae Ohana] Shinonono Hōki Taneshima Poplar Wendy Marvell

Over/Under: 10000
Over


ARENA 07: [Akiyama Mio] Kawashima Ami Konjiki no Yami Kuchiki Rukia Nymph [Sakagami Tomoyo] Tsukimiya Ayu

Over/Under: 10000
Over


ARENA 08: Evangeline A.K. McDowell Furude Rika [Furukawa Nagisa] Lucy Heartfilia Ryōgi Shiki [Suzumiya Haruhi] Uiharu Kazari

Over/Under: 10000
Over


ARENA 09: [C.C.] Ibuki Fūko Ikaros Kōzuki Kallen [Senjōgahara Hitagi] Shinku Yin

Over/Under: 10000
Over


ARENA 10: Chrome Dokuro Hanato Kobato Ichinose Kotomi Saginomiya Isumi [Sengoku Nadeko] [Takamachi Nanoha] Tōsaka Rin

Over/Under: 10000
Over


ARENA 11: Chii Enma Ai Hirasawa Ui Kawasumi Mai Last Order [Saber] [Sanzen'in Nagi]

Over/Under: 10000
Over


ARENA 12: Asahina Mikuru Ayanami Rei [Hirasawa Yui] Isayama Yomi Kagura [Louise Vallière] Sōryū Asuka Langley

Over/Under: 10000
Over

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Singer Whitney Houston dies at 48


Los Angeles (CNN) -- Legendary pop singer Whitney Houston was found dead Saturday at a Beverly Hills, California, hotel, officials said. She was 48.
The entertainer, whose incredible talent was discovered at an early age, was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. (6:55 p.m. ET) at the Beverly Hilton hotel despite resuscitation efforts, a police spokesman said.
Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen said there were "no obvious signs of criminal intent" and that the cause of her death is being investigated.
Houston's bodyguard found her body, said Courtney Barnes, publicist for hip-hop artist Ray J, who was dating the pop diva.
According to her official website, Houston sold more than 170 million albums, singles and videos. But she also struggled with addiction problems over the years.
Houston, whose hits included "The Greatest Love of All," died on the eve of the 54th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. She had performed as late as Thursday night at a pre-Grammy event in the area. A pre-Grammy party was scheduled Saturday night at the Beverly Hilton.
Music producer Jimmy Jam, after conversations with those heading up to Sunday's night show, told CNN that he believes the event will change significantly -- including a tribute to the singer.
The entertainer recently returned to a movie set for "Sparkle," a remake of the 1976 hit, which was loosely based on the story of The Supremes. It is scheduled be released nationwide in August, according to Sony Pictures. It was her first movie role since 1996's "The Preacher's Wife."
News of her death elicited a flood of reaction from fans and fellow celebrities alike.
Singer Aretha Franklin said, "I just can't talk about it now. It's so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn't believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen. My heart goes out to Cissy (Houston's mother), her daughter Bobbi Kris, her family and Bobby (Brown)."
Dolly Parton, who wrote "I Will Always Love You," said, "mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, 'Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed.'"
Another entertainment legend, Quincy Jones, said he was "absolutely heartbroken" by the news. "She was a true original and a talent beyond compare," he said.
Houston's body of work included a string of Billboard No. 1 hits in the 1980s, including "Saving All My Love for You," "How Will I Know," "The Greatest Love of All," "Where Do Broken Hearts Go," and "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)."
Billboard put her soundtrack to the 1992 movie "The Bodyguard" as one of the top 10 biggest-selling albums of all time. She also starred in the film with Kevin Costner. The soundtrack included the hit,"I Will Always Love You."
Whitney Houston was born on August 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey.
Famed music producer Clive Davis reportedly spotted Houston 20 years later in a New York nightclub, signing her on the spot, according to her website. Davis steered Houston's career for more than 25 years, also serving as a mentor.
Just Thursday, Davis told CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight" that, with Houston, "I saw a depth and a range and soul ... that rarely ranks at the top level. And that's why we've been working together ever since."
The singer's rendition of the national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl, days into the first Persian Gulf War, earned raves and cemented her place in the American musical landscape.
After "The Bodyguard," Houston went on to appear in several more films in the 1990s, including "Waiting to Exhale."
In 2000, Houston earned her sixth Grammy for best female R&B performance and, a month later, she was named female artist of the decade at the "Soul Train" Music Awards.
Her career stalled, however, in subsequent years as she entered rehab for addiction problems.
Houston took a hiatus for several years before releasing her first album in seven years, "I Look to You," in 2009.
"I just took a break, which sometimes you have to," said Houston. "You have to know when to slow that train down and kind of just sit back and relax for a minute."
In May 2011, Houston got help for her much-publicized struggle with drugs and alcohol, her representative said at the time.
In a 2009 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Houston recalled how her mother arrived one day at her doorstep at her daughter's house with sheriff's officers and a court order in a drug intervention. She talked about doing cocaine and smoking marijuana.
"(My mother) says, 'I have a court (injunction) here,'" Houston said. "Either you do it my way, or we're just not going to do this at all. We are both going to go on TV, and you're going to retire.'"
Houston had a high-profile and tumultuous marriage to Bobby Brown, a former "New Edition" star who has had multiple brushes with the law.
The couple appeared together in the mid-2000s on the reality show "Being Bobby Brown." They had one child together, Bobbi Kristina.
Houston was the cousin of Dionne Warwick, another acclaimed performer.
Singer Lionel Richie told CNN that Houston was one of the best.
"She had that voice that could just turn a story, a melody into magical notes," Richie said.
CNN's Denise Quan and Alan Duke contributed to this report.
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Voodoo Economics: A Look at how the LA Galaxy Manage the Salary Cap

Voodoo Economics: A Look at how the LA Galaxy Manage the Salary Cap

Ravelry_logo_tiny by Abbott Smith on in Sounders: Analysis

    He's back. Juninho returns to the Galaxy. How are they fitting under the cap? (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
    Victor Decolongon - Getty ImagesMore photos »
    He's back. Juninho returns to the Galaxy. How are they fitting under the cap? (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
    I woke up this morning to Josh Mayers of the Seattle Times reporting that the LA Galaxy had managed to secure Leonardo on a free transfer and they got Juninho back on a free loan. Suffice it to say that my initial response was not fit to print.
    The top of the LA Galaxy roster boggles the mind. They have 3 DPs; Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Robbie Keane. Edson Buddle returns to the squad after a year in Europe. Leonardo and Juninho are now both back. They also still have the player they brought in when they thought that Juninho would not return, Marcelo Sarvas.
    Which brings us to the issue of the salary cap. How did LA manage to secure this level of talent and stay within the MLS salary cap? The answer is, mostly, Allocation Money.
    It's easy to overlook all of the little things that LA has done this off-season that brought in Allocation Money. They earned Allocation Money by advancing to the Group Stage of the 2012 CONCACAF Champions league and the Knock Stage of the 2011 CONCACAF Champions league. (The Sounders also earned the same Allocation Money.) LA earned Allocation Money when they traded Donovan Ricketts to Montreal. Expansion clubs are given large amounts of Allocation Money and I imagine that Montreal dropped a chunk of theirs to obtain the services of a veteran Goal Keeper with Rickett's pedigree. (Editor's note: We've also been informed that every MLS team gets allocation to account for talent dilution whenever a new team joins the league.) The Galaxy also likely earned Allocation Money when they loaned Donovan, Omar Gonzales and Keane to teams in Europe (Editor's Note: It's come to our attention that allocation money from loans is not quite this straight-forward, more later). Yes, the loan of Gonzales came with a high price tag when he was injured, but his loan fee likely still applies.
    Star-divide
    To protect the interests of the league in the global market place, specific Allocation Money amounts are not disclosed. But we do know a few things. For every transfer or loan fee equaling 1 million dollars or more, a team can apply ~$650K of their share of the fee toward their roster as Allocation Money. In the world of an MLS team, a 1 million dollar transfer fee makes a player a DP. In the world of the English Premiere League, a 1 million dollar loan fee almost equates to petty cash. It doesn't take much of a leap to imagine that LA may be sitting on a couple million in Allocation Money for their 2012 roster. When the salary cap for an MLS team is $2.8 million, adding another $2 million to a team's individual cap through the process of Allocation Money changes the landscape. If these numbers are correct, the Galaxy could have more than $3.8 million that they can distribute among the remaining 15-17 players on their Senior roster where the average MLS team only gets $2.8 million before Allocation Money. This raises their average Senior roster salary to ~$250K per player. Compare this to the average MLS Senior roster salary of $120K and LA's roster begins to make more sense.
    (Editor's note: As it turns out, we probably over-estimated the amount of allocation money the Galaxy have. While allocation can be earned from loans, in situation's like Donovan's we overstated it. As it turns out, a MLS team only starts earning allocation on transfers or loans when the amount is above and beyond what that team has already paid the player out of their own pocket. So, in Donovan's case, that would mean the Galaxy would have to be getting millions of dollars in loan fees to start getting allocation. It's unlikely they got much. Still, the overall point stands, even if we may have overstated it a bit.)
    But how the Galaxy are affording their roster is only half of the picture. The other half of the picture relates to how the Galaxy manage their team relative to the salary cap rules. Edson Buddle returns to the team because when he went to Europe, he went on a free transfer. LA retained his rights. Juninho and Leonardo return because Sao Paulo doesn't have room on their squad. LA was able to negotiate a free transfer and a free loan helping Sao Paolo address a couple of problems with the Sao Paolo roster. One man's junk is another's treasure. The Galaxy have shrewdly analyzed the MLS role in the global market and leveraged it to find bargain quality. (Seattle can't complain too vehemently. Mauro Rosales was the MLS deal of the year in 2011.)
    In the case of the 3 LA DPs, they cashed in on the glamour and allure of living in LA. Beckham could have made more money playing for PSG, but his family loves living in Southern California. Robbie Keane came to LA in no small part because Beckham and his family sold Keane's significant other on living in LA. Donovan wants to live in LA and so he stayed in America rather than jumping to England on a permanent basis. Los Angeles and New York have international cache that no other American city possess. This is not the Galaxy's fault and they would be stupid not to capitalize. Seattle is capitalizing on its own brand of geographic cache. As Mauro Rosales said, "In the Summer, it is Paradise." Michael Gspurning and Adam Johansson raved about the Sounders' facilities, landscape and fans. Christian Sivebaek talked in his recent interview about how much his girlfriend and he love being in America.Yet LA's DP signings also allow The Galaxy to acquire Allocation Money through offseason loans. This is a mechanism that the Sounders have not used and the one example of how an aging Euro-Star looking for a payday can actually make sense in the modern MLS game beyond helping with the gate.
    Los Angeles also manages their roster by looking for bargains in their role players. In the recent Re-Entry draft, LA drafted four players, all veterans. These players play for close to the league minimum while providing leadership. This further shifts the structure of the LA payroll. If the average LA Senior player is making $250K, but 4 of them are making $50K, then that's another $800K that can be redistributed. Now 8 non-DP players can be making DP player salaries of $350K. Theoretically the Galaxy could field a Starting 11 where every player makes $350K or more. This is the true definition of how a team can manage its budget within MLS rules and still adhere to the axiom that good players cost more. When the entire starting roster is making more, then the large DP salaries don't have the same negative impact in the locker room that they have in a situation where everyone is only making $120K.
    The Galaxy also leverage youth development in their long range roster management. The LA area is a hotbed of youth soccer. This gives LA an advantage in the Home Grown player market. Players like Jose Villareal allow the Galaxy to reload. The team is also shrewd in how it drafts and trades. Kyle Nakazawa was a nice pick up.
    The Sounders are positioning themselves as a force in MLS roster management. Ultimately, Seattle is not LA and the Sounders will use the MLS roster rules in different ways. But some of the MLS roster construction advantages only come with time. LA offers a glimpse of how that time compounds interest.
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