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Welcome to the SALections!

June 2026

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This month's SALections is dedicated to the top two musical performers out there currently -

OLIVIA DEAN & BRUNO MARS

She is just 27 and from London - and if you have not noticed Olivia Dean is having a moment. This is

no overnight success story. Olivia is LOADED with talent and its been on full display for more than a

minute now.

Her 2025 album, THE ART OF LOVING is nothing short of a masterpiece. She grew up enjoying Lauren Hill,

Carole King, Jill Scott, Aretha Franklin and Al Green.

Well Olivia, you have arrived and we are so glad that you are center stage.

Olivia has captured the whole world's attention with her dynamic talent - her masterful on stage presence

and is so fresh that she has a long runway to show us her amazing gifts for years to come.

If you have not heard of her, or listened to her latest album, The ART OF LOVING that's OK. Put it on your list

and give it a whirl, there is no doubt you will jump on board after one listen.

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It's not often that I am blown away by talent, but in this case Olivia is the Cherry on Top / the Creme de la creme / The Icing on the Cake / YES SHE IS THAT GOOD / actually GOOD does not go far enough / OLIVIA is gREAT!

The nominees for Best New Artist at the Grammy's was loaded with talent. It was a powerhouse squad

with Addison Rae, sombr, Katseye, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Alex Warren and Olivia.

And when the Grammy's announced OLIVIA DEAN as the best new artist for 2026, they could not have been more on point.

She stood out among a very talented crop of new artists.

This is Olivia's performance on the night of her grammy win, with her hit, /// THE MAN I NEED.

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Man I Need - Grammys 2026

TALK TO ME / TALK TO ME

The stage is yours Olivia / you own it / with Supreme Confidence / and the hits on the ART of LOVING just keep coming

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So Easy to Fall in LOVE

How is that at just 27, she can sing about love with wisdom beyond her years. Olivia is one of those generational talents

that breaks through / breaks boundaries / breaks records / and leaves you spellbound after her performance.

She does it so matter of fact / so naturally / but believe me this does not happen often / her talent is ASTOUNDING

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It isn't Perfect, but it Might Be

She has a global following of loyal fans and it all started at 17. She is totally adorable / with talent through the roof

and her music will lift you up.

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From her first album, Messy there were signs that Olivia was off to the races. This is her perfomance of DIVE on the

Graham Norton show.

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DIVE

Olivia is on tour now and her songs have more than TWO BILLION streams online. She is in Baltimore in August, before

performing a few shows in New York / then heading to London // Paris // and Dublin.

​https://www.ticketmaster.com/olivia-dean-tickets/artist/2700768​

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Olivia does the weather on TODAY

Show them what you have OLIVIA // This is NICE TO EACH OTHER // by the one and only OLIVIA DEAN

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Nice to Each Other

One more look at ////// So Easy ////// to Fall ////// in Love ////// with Olivia Dean //////

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Don't think she can't deliver a ballad ///// She is ///// the Amazing ///// OLIVIA DEAN //////

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A Couple Minutes

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Bruno Mars is not his real name but you new that right. His name is Peter Hernandez. Growing up in Hawaii,

his family had a fondness for watching wrestling and at the time in the late 80's - there was a wrestler by the name

of Bruno Sammertino. So Bruno stuck early on as his nickname and then when they discovered how talented

he was on stage, Bruno wanted something to go with his first name and he landed on Mars, because his

performances were out of this world.

Can there be a more perfect introduction for the guy who is far and away the hottest ///// best on stage ////

performer out there today.

Why does it seem like every time an award show comes on ///// Bruno is opening the show ////// make no

mistake ////// there is a reason for that ////// Bruno doesn't just open ////// he brings that damn house down.

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24K Magic

We could go on and on with just the award shows that he has opened. Nothing is left to chance with Bruno

and his Hooligans. They practice every routine to the max so it is down to a science and they deliver together.

Another artist that worked with his background group like this is Luther Vandross, but Bruno takes it to

another level with his dancing, which is always on point.

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Runaway Baby

And yes there is more...........plenty more award show performances......that he sets on fire......from the jump............

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Treasure

And let's not forget the off the charts performances at the Victoria Secret Runway Show.................

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Chunky

His collection of songs is second to none and then when he gets on stages its like no one else..........

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Locked out of Heaven in Paris

Then at the top of the musical world, he is not afraid to make a bold move like joining Anderson Paak

and delivering massive hits with SILK SONIC.

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Leave the Door Open

What you doin'?
Where you at?
Oh, you got plans?
Don't say that I'm sippin' wine
In a robe
I look too good
To be alone \ My house clean
My pool warm
Just shaved / smooth like a newborn

We should be dancing, romancing, in the east wing
And the west wing of this mansion,

What's happenin'? I ain't playin' no games
Every word that I say
Is coming straight from the heart
So if you tryna lay in these arms

I'ma leave the door open

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Smoking out the Window

It's hit after hit with Silk Sonic ///// they just don't stop ///// what a duo ////// Anderson & Bruno killing it

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Love's Train

Then out of the blue a ballad with Lady Gaga that is so damn amazing ////// Lady Gaga at the piano smoking a

cigarette ////// Bruno singing his heart out ////// nobody's promised tomorrow ////// I'm gonna love you like

it's the last night /////// If the world was ending ////// I'd wanna be next to you

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Die with a Smile

As if that was not enough now he shifts again and comes out with an album entitled ///// The Romantic.

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Risk It All

and how bout another grammy performance to show you just how much command he has on the stage /////

When I take it to the floor ///// ohh ///// you gotta get down ///// you know what to do ///// Hey Mr DJ

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I Just Might

So before we close the curtain on the June SALections ////// one more ////// yes we need an encore

from the AMAZING OLIVIA DEAN //////

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Man I Need

Okay Bruno ///// do what you do ////// bring the damn house down ////// with one more performance

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That's What I Like

Look at the artists ///// Keith Urban ///// one of the best country artists out there ////// looking on in amazement

at Bruno performing on stage ////// J Lo ////// Tim McGraw ////// Rihanna //////

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FATHERS DAY

June is a gift in so many ways and especially for all the Dads out there

So my Dad passed early at just 37 but before you cringe ////// I was lucky because i have great memories

with him. My Dad was a plumber ////// he did work for Sonny Jurgenson's when he was with the Eagles

before he was sent to Washington //// my Dad also had a 65 black thunderbird convertible with red leather

interior ////// that was his pride and joy ////// he was not a mechanic but he rebuilt the engine piece by piece

doing it all with his God Given mind ////// no manual /////// when he would take me for a ride in his showpiece

I cannot tell you how special that was ////// I can still feel the wind in the little hair that I have ////// life is like that.

Days are slow but years are fast ////// but we can remember back in the day ////// and I talk with my Dad every day

because he was awesome /////// he wasn't with us long /////// but he is always in our hearts ////// so my absolute

favorite Christmas gift was given to me by my Dad when I was 6 /////// I came home from school and the Christmas

tree was up ////// it was a silver tree with lots or ornaments ////// some home made ////// lights and tinsel on the

tree to make it festive ////// I remember being so happy seeing the tree /////// the next day I went to school /////

My Dad built a wooden platform to set the tree on ////// and there was a train /////// an electric train whose tracks

ran around the tree ////// I was blown away and played with that train 24 x 7 non-stop ////// it was the greatest gift

ever. ////// I told my parents I didn't want anything else for Christmas ////// the train was more than enough for me.

He was in the Air Force and wrote my Mom very loving, touching letters from where he was stationed. He did his

work as a plumber with a passion that was not often seen. He rode my Uncle Rocky around in his Thunderbird with

Rocky dressed as Santa through the city & kids would chase the car, screaming "There is Santa." I will never forget

that.

Thank you Dad ////// For all the lessons I learned from you ////// for all the time you spent with me ////// for all the
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moments together ////// we didn't have a lot of time together, but we made the most of it. God Bless you Dad //////

May you rest in perfect peace ////// I sure hope that I have made you proud with the life I have lead in your honor.

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When my Dad Passed ///// my Mom's best friend's husband Al ///// who was this short five foot two guy with a

7-foot personality. I noticed that everyone would gather around Al at a party and he would tell stories enthralling

the crowd. That was Al / so Dynamic and a bigger than life personality.

A few months after my Dad passed, Al pulled me aside and said, listen there is no way around this - it stinks that your

Dad passed. But you can hang your head or you can live your life honoring him. Life is a deck or cards and while

your cards, don't look real good now ////// you can end up with a full house or a royal flush before the game is over

so why not play you're hand.

I was so lucky to get such sage advice from Al, who always had a knack for telling it like it is. So I have played my hand

and I hope I have made you proud Dad because I have lived my life in honor of you.

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THANK YOU – GRAZIE – MERCI – OBRIGADO

That wraps up the June 2026 Edition of the SALections with our Tribute to all the Fathers out there.

The SALections is proud to sponsor the Fabulous South Philly String Band.

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Special thanks to Barb Berlin, a great friend and my former weekend news anchor & work wife in Richmond for her amazing proofreading skills. Thank you Barb!

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#OliviaDean #BrunoMars #SALectionsJune2026, #FathersDay2026, #BarbaraBerlin, #CinemaLou #SouthPhillyStringBand,

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Website ​www.SALectionsofthemonth.com​
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