Author Archives: Shirley Pena

Shirley Pena

About Shirley Pena

A native of Southern California, Shirley Peña began her career as a music journalist almost twenty years ago, writing for her websites "Stars In My Eyes: the Girlhowdy Website" and "La Raza Rock!" and progressed to creating various fan sites on Yahoo, including the first for New Zealand singer/songwriter Tim Finn. From there, she became a free agent, arranging online interviews for Yahoo fan clubs with various music artists (Andy White, John Crawford, Debora Iyall, John Easdale, etc.). She also lent her support in creating and moderating a number of Yahoo fan clubs for various music artists from the 1990s-today. As a music journalist, Shirley Peña has contributed to a number of magazines (both hard copy and online), among them: Goldmine, American Songwriter, Classic Drummer Magazine and UK-based Keyboard Player (where she was a principal journalist). A self-confessed "fanatic" of 1960s "British Invasion" bands, Classic Rock and nostalgic "Old Hollywood ", she also keeps her finger on the pulse of current trends in music, with a keen eye for up and coming artists of special merit. Shirley Peña loves Los Angeles, and is thrilled to join the writing staff of The Los Angeles Beat!

Save the Sando! Save Live Music! Part 1

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Shirley Pena

  Description and history: the Sandringham hotel, located at the southern end of busy King Street, Newtown, Sydney, Australia, was built in the 1860′s and originally was a coach house-style hotel. In the early years the hotel played host to … Continue reading →

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Walmart Warehouse Workers Continue Their March for Safer Work Conditions

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Shirley Pena

All photos courtesy of Elizabeth Brennan, Communications Director, Warehouse Workers United.  Copyright 2012. No reproduction or use thereof without the permission of WWU. Over bridges, hills and through the streets the Walmart warehouse workers continue their march for safer working conditions … Continue reading →

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United in Solidarity, the UFWs Join the Walmart Warehouse Workers on Their March for Safer Work Conditions

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Shirley Pena

All photos courtesy of Elizabeth Brennan, Communications Director, Warehouse Workers United.  Copyright 2012. No reproduction or use thereof without the permission of WWU. The shared struggle between warehouse workers and farm workers is discussed in a speech by the president of … Continue reading →

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A Walk Down the Street…with Robert Nix

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Shirley Pena

Robert Nix is an exciting and unique experimental Rock/Pop artist from Toronto, Canada. He has received lavish praise from the Canadian music press since his career took off in the late 1980’s, and he remains one of Canada’s most highly respected … Continue reading →

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DNA Testing:Discover the Journey of YOU

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Shirley Pena

DNA testing, and its uses thereof, have come a long way since its humble beginnings in the United Kingdom, where it was first used in forensic science to assist police detective work, and also to resolve paternity and immigration disputes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Science & Technology | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Review: Muddy Waters and The Rolling Stones Live at The Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago 1981 DVD/CD (2012)

Posted on September 8, 2012 by Shirley Pena

“He stole my music but he gave me my name.” — Muddy Waters on Mick Jagger On a cold Winter night, November 22, 1981, the Rolling Stones arrived in Chicago.  Smack in the middle of their North American ‘Tattoo You’ tour, just prior to … Continue reading →

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Celtic Heart: an Interview with Cormac O’ Caoimh

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Shirley Pena

Cormac O’ Caoimh is an exciting, singularly brilliant singer-songwriter and classical guitarist from Cork, Ireland. He has just released his second solo cd ‘A New Season for Love’ and it’s currently receiving excellent reviews and a significant amount of airplay … Continue reading →

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Zero to Nibiru in 20 Minutes:an Interview with Marshall Masters

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Shirley Pena

“Destiny finds those who listen, and fate finds the rest.  So learn what you can learn, do what you can do, and never give up hope!”-Marshall Masters In keeping with the current media hoopla over the (alleged) upcoming arrival (speculated … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Fever-Little Willie John:a Fast Life, Mysterious Death and the Birth of Soul, written by Susan Whitall

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Shirley Pena

Among the numerous bios recently written about (and by) music artists, there is one that stands out from the rest: “Fever-Little Willie John: a Fast Life, Mysterious Death and the Birth of Soul,” written by Susan Whitall (in collaboration with Kevin John). … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Interviews, Music | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Fever: an Interview with Kevin John (son of Little Willie John)

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Shirley Pena

Kevin, it’s a real pleasure and an honor to be talking with you today! First off, let’s dive right into this exciting new bio on your father (Fever-Little Willie John: a Fast Life, Mysterious Death, and the Birth of Soul). I was totally … Continue reading →

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