Friend Named Fred

Marlee Scott Releases New Single for 2012, Train Wreck

2012-02-10T18:57:00.000-05:00

Country artist Marlee Scott is releasing her new single, "Train Wreck," to Country radio on Jan. 23 and to iTunes on Jan. 24.

"Train Wreck" is the second single from Scott's forthcoming U.S. debut, due out in spring 2012 through Big Ride Records. Scott has been recording the album in Nashville with engineer/producer David Kalmusky, who produced the project's first single, "Beautiful Maybe." In addition to the Country radio single version, a dance remix of "Train Wreck" will also be available for purchase at iTunes on Jan. 24.

"Train Wreck grabbed me right out of the gate the first time I heard it," says Scott. "The Country/Rock groove and Bluegrass down-home Country chorus had me dancing around my condo! It brings such a fun tongue-in-cheek outlook on what it's like to fall for the wrong person, but you just can't seem to get enough. I love making people smile and chuckle and want to sing along, and 'Train Wreck' seems to do it every time."

Nashville songwriting vets Marcus Hummon, Jedd Hughes and Sarah Buxton penned the rhythm-heavy number, with Country superstar Vince Gill contributing backing vocals to the track.

"Canada has had a great history of some of the best music I have ever heard," says Gill. "My wish for Marlee is to be part of that rich history."

Adds producer Hummon, "Marlee is kind of a dream artist for a writer/producer because she has a lot of courage in choosing her material to record. There's nothing 'safe' about Marlee, and there is far too much 'safe' out there. She comes into the studio prepared vocally, but also prepared emotionally, with a strong sense of the story she is telling."

In December, Scott filmed the "Train Wreck" music video with award-winning director Roman White (Taylor Swift's "Fifteen," Blake Shelton's "Hillbilly Bone," Lady Antebellum's "Hello World").

Scott is currently visiting radio stations on a nationwide radio tour in support of "Train Wreck." In 2011, she visited more than 100 stations in the U.S. and Canada, while maintaining a busy schedule of appearances that included performances at The Breeders' Cup World Championships, the Clemson/Virginia Tech ACC Championship college football game and several MLB baseball and NHL hockey games.

The Canadian-born Scott also launched her "Make It or Bake It" webisode cooking series in 2011 to enthusiastic response. The humorous videos (view them here) feature the singer sharing and cooking some of her favorite recipes.

Visit www.MarleeScott.com for music, tour dates, "Make It or Bake It" episodes and more.

About Marlee Scott:
Big Ride Entertainment artist and Nashville resident Marlee Scott will release her debut U.S. Country album in early 2012. Her current single, "Train Wreck," was released in January and followed her successful 2011 single, "Beautiful Maybe," and her holiday release, "Someday At Christmas." A native of Ontario, Canada, Scott was nominated for the CCMA Rising Star Award in 2010 at the prestigious Canadian Country Music Awards. Her single, "Here to Heaven," was an international success, going Top 20 in Canada and Australia and No. 1 in England, Germany and Holland. For more information, visit www.MarleeScott.com.

Introducting Tiny Victories -- Debut EP out Feb 28th

2012-02-10T17:51:00.000-05:00

Tiny Victories is excited to announce the release of their debut EP Those Of Us Still Alive, out February 28th via their own BirdDog Records. In celebration of the upcoming release of their first album, they've released the track "Lost Weekend" for free download, available for posting HERE.

"Lost Weekend" provides the perfect introduction to Tiny Victories, showcasing the band's array of samplers, gadgets and live drums, coupled with singer Greg Walter's self-assured vocal melodies. Living up to the band's namesake, the track focuses on small moments of redemption, amplified, with the spirit of a marching band at a funeral.

Those Of Us Still Alive has an uncommonly organic, improvisational feel for electronic music. As Greg explains, "We make simple songs out of complex pieces. Take a melody that works on an acoustic guitar, then orchestrate it with samples that have been reprocessed beyond recognition-like the sound of trash being thrown into a Manhattan dumpster."

Comprised of Cason Kelly and Greg Walters, the duo formed Tiny Victories in 2010. Prior to their transplant to Brooklyn, Cason spent his early 20s doing social work with inner city kids, while Greg spent six years as a foreign correspondent, covering a war (Russia-Georgia) and two revolutions (Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan).

Previously having shared bills with Hooray for Earth, The Hood Internet, Bear Hands, and Braids, Tiny Victories plans to tour this spring, including a stop in Austin, TX for SXSW.

Those Of Us Still Alive Tracklisting:

1. Mr. Bones

2. Gravitron

3. Lost Weekend

4. Longevity

5. Get Lost

VINTAGE BLUE TO RELEASE STRIKE THE MICS IN FEBRUARY 2012

2012-02-09T17:19:00.000-05:00

Chicago-based five-piece rock band Vintage Blue (formerly known as Tanglewood) will be releasing its debut full-length record, Strike The Mics, on February 14, 2012. The new album is the follow-up to their 2010 debut recording, California Road, a seven-track EP. For the Strike The Mics sessions, Vintage Blue enlisted producer Jamie Candiloro (The Eagles, Luscious Jackson, Willie Nelson, Ryan Adams), who not only ensured a sparkling, 13-track-strong sonic result, but also drove the band to write their most concise, structurally impactful songs to date. "Absolutely every ounce of our love of music was poured into Strike The Mics," says singer/guitarist Ben Bassett. "Our passion was drawn out by our producer Jamie Candiloro who demanded nothing but the best, and found unique, odd and hilarious ways to bring out our talents."

One of the key factors underlying Vintage Blue's strengths as an original rock act is the dual writing tandem of Bassett and singer/guitarist Ryan Tibbs, who each pen and sing their own respective material. Both recently single after long-term relationships, Bassett and Tibbs admit that affairs of the heart dominate much of their lyrical content, with a range of emotions from blissful to vitriolic. Bassett's "Speak," the first track that will be released from the forthcoming album, plumbs the idea of recognizing love and not quite being able to get it, while "Just Breathe," another Bassett-penned track, reminds listeners of the importance of letting things fall into place: stepping back, taking a breath, and trusting that things will work. Tibbs' "What Lies" is based on the idea of two people who don't really know each other, yet who are swept up in a beautiful place for a very short period of time.

Vintage Blue—which includes singer/lead guitarist Bassett, singer/guitarist Tibbs, drummer Will Crowden (the grandson of the founder and former owner of Ludwig Drums), bassist Cesar Corral, and saxophonist/keyboardist Matt Zimmerman—formed as the band Tanglewood in Chicago several years ago as a cover band, and as time passed and the group solidified, the outfit started to compose their own original material. Tanglewood then released the aforementioned California Road, a home studio recording. Lineup changes ensued, partly prompting the name change to Vintage Blue, but the core roster persevered. Recently, the band played the House of Blues, Double Door, and Cubby Bear in Chicago, as well as several Chi-Town summer festivals (including Party at St. Mikes, Chicago Ribfest and Taste of River North), and a show is planned at the Mint in Los Angeles on December 3, 2011, further building the momentum toward their next release.

With Strike The Mics, Vintage Blue are eager to share a much-anticipated batch of new material with fans, and bring their eclectic blend of soulful rock to their largest audience yet. Although the band are regulars in the ever-thriving Chicago club scene, a regional tour will follow the release, traveling from Madison, Wisconsin, to East Lansing, Michigan, and then to downstate Illinois, where several band members attended college.

"To a man, Vintage Blue believes the music on our album is truly us," says Bassett. "It speaks to our lives, our loves and our passion. We truly love what we gained from the process and look forward to making music for many more years to come. We could not be more excited to have listeners get to know the guys behind the sound." Agrees Crowden: "We so excited to get this new material out to the public and truly think there is something unique for every different music fan out there."

www.vintagebluemusic.com

Flying Colors Featuring Morse And Portnoy Announce Album

2012-01-31T23:49:00.000-05:00

Mascot Label Group has announced a March 27 release date for the debut from Flying Colors (available the day prior overseas) on their Music Theories Label. The formation of the ensemble began with a simple idea: virtuoso musicians and a pop singer joining together to make new-fashioned music the old fashioned way. Refreshing, classic, old and new, the recordings are saturated with the many styles, tones and hues of the players who in becoming a band have delivered a unique fusion of vintage craftsmanship and contemporary music. Flying Colors is Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals), Casey McPherson (lead vocals), and Steve Morse (guitar). Portnoy shares, "This album has bits and pieces of what you'd expect from each of us. However, the sum of all its parts led to brand new, unchartered territory for all involved."

In 2008, executive producer Bill Evans brought the idea to the world renowned musicians and producer Peter Collins. Intrigued by the idea, and the prospect of working together, the four signed on to form a band and record a first album. Steve Morse and Dave LaRue have developed a magical music chemistry over the years, that began early in their careers as partners in Dixie Dregs. Morse subsequently became a member of Deep Purple in 1995, while LaRue's ongoing musical adventures include Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, Steve Vai, and the aforementioned Portnoy. Multi-instrumentalist, composer and singer Neal Morse is one of the leading figures in progressive rock, who's significant notoriety follows his co-founding of the seminal band, Spock's Beard in 1995, recordings as a solo artist, and contributions to the super-group Transatlantic. Mike Portnoy is one of the most popular and respected drummers in both metal and rock, and an accomplished writer and producer. He is the recipient of numerous industry accolades, including 26 Modern Drummer awards, Revolver Magazine's Golden God award for "Best Drummer" and Drum Magazine's "Drummer of the Year". He rose to prominence as the leader, drummer, producer, and co-writer for metal/prog juggernaut Dream Theater, before moving on in 2010. That same year, he worked on Avenged Sevenfold's #1 album Nightmare and their subsequent tour. And, it was Portnoy who recommended Alpha Rev's emotive singer Casey McPherson as a contender to join Flying Colors.

McPherson, who's 2010 Hollywood/Disney album New Morning debuted in the Top-5 on two Billboard charts, enjoyed major success at radio with multiple hits. The track "New Morning" spent 17 weeks in the Top-10 on Triple A Radio, and enjoyed a run on Vh1's Top-20 Countdown for months. Steve Morse offers, "Casey was a glorious find, because he could make anything sound fantastic, and is a multitalented like the others."

Flying Colors convened for just nine days in early 2011, and composed and recorded this album during a short and intense session. Dave LaRue recalls, "It was quite an experience - the band moved at a fast pace, ideas flying around the room at all times. Sections of tunes were arranged, then re-arranged, ideas were tried every which way until we made them work, or, in some cases, discarded them altogether. Just keeping track of everything was a challenge!" McPherson adds, "This record is filled with trial and triumph. Raw and delicate songs alike amidst the swirling and daring orchestration of Steve, Neal, Mike and Dave. It's been such an inspiring challenge melding folk, prog, pop, and metal all into one big recording."

Touring plans for Flying Colors will be announced in the coming months.

Dierks Bentley Scores GOLD with "Am I The Only One"

2012-01-30T17:49:00.001-05:00

Multi-PLATINUM singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley's rowdy party anthem "Am I The Only One" has officially been certified GOLD by the RIAA for digital sales of over 500,000 song downloads. The smash hit became Bentley's eighth career No. one song as an artist and writer last fall when it topped country radio charts and served as the lead track off of Bentley's upcoming sixth studio album HOME, in stores Feb. 7.

"'Am I The Only One' seems to really have resonated with country fans looking to get out, drink some cold beer on the weekends and have a good time…it's become one of the rowdiest songs in our set," says Bentley. "It's now the moment in the show when girls go up on shoulders and beer cans go up in the air."

The new album's current single and title track "Home" is currently climbing toward the top of the chart. Bentley will return 'Home' for a special album release show at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 2. The second leg of the Country & Cold Cans tour will resume on Feb. 15 with the first dates scheduled internationally in Canada and Australia.

For more album details and for a full list of tour dates, visit www.dierks.com.

Ivan & Alyosha Announce Fall Tour Dates and Festival Appearances

2012-01-29T23:49:00.000-05:00

In a year which has seen the band play more than 150 shows, Ivan & Alyosha will hit the road again next week touring across the Rockies into the Midwest with performances at the Pygmalion and Midpoint Music Festivals, highlighted by a hometown show at Seattle's Columbia City Theatre. I&A will be paired with The Watson Twins for several of these gigs.

The band will perform songs from their first two EPs as well as tracks from their upcoming debut album, scheduled for an early 2012 release; they recently spent time in the studio working on material for their full-length debut album with producer Kevin Augunas (Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, Cold War Kids).

The band's current release, Fathers Be Kind just showed up on Amazon's Best Music of 2011 Thus Far, with that EP's "I Was Born to Love Her" ranked at #4 on their Songs You May Have Missed round-up. This echoed the earlier inclusion of Fathers on NPR's Best of the Year (So Far) list.

Sneak previews of new Ivan & Alyosha songs can be heard right now. They recently debuted an acoustic demo for the song "Don't Wanna Die Anymore," showcasing "catchy choruses and stunning vocal harmonies reminiscent of early Fleet Foxes" (Paste Magazine). A download of the song can be found HERE. The boys also stopped by Seattle's KEXP studios to perform live on air for their hometown station. Take a listen at the link below, and get a sneak preview of the new song "God or Man". http://blog.kexp.org/blog/2011/07/21/live-video-ivan-alyosha/

Since the release of Fathers Be Kind in February, the band have gained recognition from American Songwriter, Alarm, and Brooklyn Vegan, have been featured as a band "On The Verge" in Relix Magazine, have recorded sessions for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series, Daytrotter and IFC at SXSW.

"Think of a literary-minded cross between Local Natives and Fleet Foxes" - FILTER

http://www.ivanandalyosha.com

http://www.facebook.com/ivanandalyosha

http://www.myspace.com/ivanandalyosha

http://twitter.com/ivanandalyosha

Upcoming Tour Dates:

SEPTEMBER
19 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
20 - Denver, CO - Hi Dive
21 - St. Louis, MO - Off Broadway w/ The Watson Twins
23 - Urbana, IL - Pygmalion Music Festival
24 - Cincinnati, OH - Midpoint Music Festival
26 - Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Center

OCTOBER
07 - Seattle, WA - Columbia City Theatre

The Melismatics to Release “MANIA!” on Pravda Records January 10th, National Tour Kicks Off January 12th

2012-01-29T09:03:00.000-05:00

Minneapolis rock band The Melismatics are set to release their latest album, "MANIA!" on January 10th through Chicago's Pravda Records. They'll start a national tour on January 12th at the Zoo Bar in Lincoln before heading to the West coast. "MANIA!" was produced by Jon Auer of The Posies and Big Star, along with Ed Ackerson (Motion City Soundtrack, Golden Smog, The Replacements) and was mixed by John Fields. The LP features collaborations with Dan Wilson (Adele, Semisonic) and Jon Auer who lends vocals to several tracks.

The Melismatics formed at the turn of the century in the fertile ground of the Minneapolis indie-rock scene. Their debut album "Postmodern Rock" quickly caught the attention of college radio stations around the country and garnered favorable reviews from critics around the world. Shortly thereafter, Minneapolis indie-rock king pin Ed Ackerson (Motion City Soundtrack, The Replacements, The Jayhawks) signed the band to Susstones Records and produced their next two albums "New Infection" and "Turn It On".

The Melismatics toured the country numerous times over and continued to win loyal fans with their high-energy and unpredictable live shows. Their music has been featured on MTV's "The Hills," "The City"and "Laguna Beach," NBC's "Windfall", Animal Planet's "Jockeys" and they've played such notable events as Lollapalooza, Summerfest, and CMJ.

The Melismatics released "The Acid Test" on CC Entertainment/E1 Music (2008). Renowned producer John Fields (Jimmy Eat World, Rooney, Har Mar Superstar, etc) caught the band performing at 2007 SXSW in Austin, Texas and signed on to produce the album. The music video for "Digging Deep" charted at #4 on MTVU and received widespread airplay. Indianapolis' Nuvo Weekly described them thusly, "Whether it's Ryan's high energy guitar playing paired with his raw, yet trained, voice, Mark's innovative and effects-laden bass with equally impressive backing vocals, Ron's powerful and unique drumming, to the sultry and mesmerizing Pony who shifts between playing guitar, piano, and vocals as if it were breathing."

The Melismatics have found a sound all their own that is familiar yet unique, euphoric and adventurous. The Melismatics' sound is constantly evolving and developing– as The Onion put it, "no one ever accused The Melismatics of being predictable."

Video for "Your Love Is a Poison" here: http://youtu.be/O_0nBnLfluA Band Website:www.melismatics.com

THE MELISMATICS ON TOUR

January 12 Zoo Bar, Lincoln, NE

January 13 Triple Nickel Tavern, Colorado Springs, CO

January 14 Hi-Dive, Denver, CO

January 15 Senate Bar, Pueblo, CO

January 16 Piper Down Pub, Salt Lake City, UT

January 18 Soda Bar, San Diego, CA

JANUARY 19 Silverlake Lounge. Los Angeles, CA

JANUARY 20 Hotel Monte Vista Cocktail Lounge, Flagstaff, AZ

JANUARY 21 Hotel Monte Vista Cocktail Lounge, Flagstaff, AZ

JANUARY 22 Launchpad, Albuquerque, NM

JANUARY 23 The Conservatory, Oklahoma City, OK

JANUARY 24 Record Bar, Kansas City, MO

FEBRUARY 3 R, Dubuque, IA

FEBRUARY 4 Upfront & Co, Marquette, MI

FEBRUARY 16 Otto's, Dekalb, IL

FEBRUARY 17 Melody Inn, Indianapolis, IN

FEBRUARY 18 Cactus Club, Milwaukee, WI

MARCH 14 Barley House, Dallas, TX

MARCH 18 The Grotto, Ft Worth, TX

MARCH 20 The 806, Amarillo, TX

MARCH 22 The Lost Leaf, Phoenix, AZ

MARCH 30 Malarkey's Pub, Wausau, WI

MARCH 31 The Crunchy Frog, Green Bay, WI

APRIL 13 Upfront & Co, Marquette, MI

Bloodshot signs Cory Branan

2012-01-29T00:44:00.000-05:00

We've had our eye on Cory for just about as long as he's been honing his air-tight, clever version of the perfect storysong. For those who don't know him, though, Branan is the owner of two well-crafted, kinetically charged albums - 2002's The Hell You Say and 2006's 12 Songs – on Madjack Records. From the two releases came standouts ("The Prettiest Waitress in Memphis," "A Girl Named Go," "Tall Green Grass," and many others) that we've listened to in embarrassing amounts, and then probably annoyed our friends with to boot. He has garnered praise from Rolling Stone, GQ, Billboard, and performed on Late Night with David Letterman (look at that baby face, here).

Cory has a well-documented history with groups like former label mates Lucero, musicians of his ilk who trend toward the rawer end of roots music (The Loved Ones' Dave Hause, Chuck Ragan, Two Cow Garage, Drag the River's Jon Snodgrass), and rock stars like Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional), who has covered Cory's gorgeous "Tall Green Grass" and been a reoccurring tour mate.

And that touring element was just the icing on the cake for us. Never one to shy away from an itinerary of non-stop cross-country shows, Cory possesses a unique performance style that enables him to gravelly sing a coy double entendre in one ear of the audience, while yelling the most beautiful love song into the other. So after falling in love (!!!) with a demo of his new material, we jumped at the chance to add him to the fold. We're excited to say that his label debut is on its way in Spring 2012 under the title Mutt.

Upcoming shows:

-Every Monday in January, residency at The Basement in Nashville (w/ special guests)

-February 3 – Little Rock, AR – White Water Tavern Anniversary show (w/ Ben Nichols of Lucero)

Cory Branan Bloodshot artist page

Cory Branan Website

The Wood Brothers Announce Tour Dates and New Live EP

2012-01-28T17:53:00.000-05:00

The Wood Brothers have announced the second leg of their North American Tour in support of their 2011 record Smoke Ring Halo, which was the #1 Most Added Album on Americana Radio this past week and debuted this week at number 32 on the AMA Americana Airplay Chart. The second leg of their tour will kick off in Chicago, IL on March 8 and continue through March 24, ending in Connecticut after a northeastern string of shows. Tour dates are listed below.

The brothers are set to release their latest EP, Live, Volume 1: Sky High on the Southern Ground Artists label. The 7-track CD was recorded live during their Fall tour and features songs from the provocative and charming Smoke Ring Halo, along with tunes from their first record, Ways Not To Lose, plus a Mississippi John Hurt gem, "Pay Day".

Previously Announced Tour Dates:

1/25/12 Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, CA

1/26/12 Largo, Los Angeles, CA

1/27/12 Soho Restaurant & Music Club, Santa Barbara, CA

1/28/12 Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA

1/29/12 Don Quixote's Int'l Music Hall, Felton, CA

1/31/12 Harlow's Night Club, Sacramento, CA

2/1/12 McNears Mystic Theatre, Petaluma, CA

2/2/12 WOW Hall, Eugene, OR

2/3/12 Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR

Newly Announced Second Round of Tour Dates:

3/8/12 Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL

3/9/12 Earth House, Indianapolis, IN

3/10/12 3^rd and Lindsley, Nashville, TN

3/11/12 Headliner's Music Hall, Louisville, KY

3/13/12 Track 29, Chattanooga, TN

3/14/12 Orange Peel, Asheville, NC

3/15/12 Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA

3/16/12 Workplay, Birmingham, AL

3/18/12 The Southern, Charlottesville, VA

3/19/12 The Abbey Bar, Harrisburg, PA

3/20/12 Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY

3/22/12 World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA

3/23/12 Triumph Brewing Company, New Hope, PA

3/24/12 StageOne, Fairfield, CT

Korallreven Announce First Live Shows in the US, Release Extended Remix of "Sa Sa Samoa (For Real For Sure For You)"

2012-01-27T18:14:00.000-05:00

Download "Sa Sa Samoa" Here

Swedish duo Korallreven aka Marcus Joons and Daniel Tjäder (of The Radio Dept) have announced their first US shows ever, with select east and west coast dates behind their critically acclaimed debut album, An Album By Korallreven, available now on Acéphale. The forthcoming March performances follow Korallreven's live debut in Europe this past December that featured an ethereal light display and a few sets with Air France. Korallreven's production focuses on melodic evolution rather than following a distinct structure and one can expect this sublime execution with their live shows. A few performances will include special guest appearances by Victoria Bergsman (Taken By Trees, The Concretes), who was featured on the duo's lauded single "As Young As Yesterday," which was named one of Pitchfork's "Best New Tracks" and held a steady #1 position on the Hype Machine charts for several weeks.

Korallreven's first single "Honey Mine" was released earlier this year, alongside their summer-released A Dream Within A Dream mixtape that featured an extremely well-received remix of Britney Spears' "Till The World Ends." They followed with "As Young As Yesterday, including remixes by Panda Bear and Girl Unit, and debuted their third single "Sa Sa Samoa" featuring Brooklyn-based vocal experimentalist Julianna Barwick. An Album By Korallreven is "crisp as Autumn in Stockholm" says BlackBook, "punctuated by sudden bursts from electronic synths and drums to kick up the groove."

Korallreven Live in Concert

3/4 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
3/5 - Washington DC - Black Cat

3/6 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
3/7 - San Francisco, CA - Independent*
3/8 - Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex*

*Guest appearance by Victoria Bergsman

American Songwriter Premiers Young Hines' "Rainy Day" first single of new album news

2012-01-25T15:04:00.000-05:00

Young Hines and Readymade announce the April 10th release of Give Me My Change, the label debut for Nashville based and Georgia born and raised musician. Discovered by Brendan Benson by chance as painters working on his house listened to one of Young's demos, Young is the first artist signed to Benson's newly launched label and publishing company Readymade. This spring Young will make his SXSW debut and tour with Benson in May. The first track off his new album is "Rainy Day," a bittersweet melody showcasing the impressive songwriting that first caught Benson's ear.

"Give Me My Change is brimming with vintage keyboard sounds and a wonderful, warm production." - American Songwriter

Stream "Rainy Day" at AmericanSongwriter.com

Download the mp3 HERE (OK To Share)

The youngest of seven siblings, Young grew up in Griffin, Georgia.He began playing music at age 12 and hasn't stopped since. Within a few years he was recording his first songs, and in high school began releasing his music via tape cassette, selling copies out of a local record shop called Turtles. After performing in a successful 60's cover band in college, Young left the group to produce a record for his eldest brother Matt Jordan. Together they played as the duo Bailey Jester, touring extensively and releasing two albums together over the course of four years before deciding on a hiatus.

Without a current gig to tie him down and excited to explore a new scene, Young accepted a job in Chicago and made the move to the Windy City. Needing an outlet for the creative forces brimming inside him, Young got back to old habits of writing, recording, and self-releasing. He began recording demos in a home studio, selling hand-packaged copies at his occasional solo shows, never expecting much to come of them as they left his hands other than a satisfaction that somebody liked his music enough to pay for it. But unknown to him the universe had other plans.

Credit: Shelby Dockery

Then one day out of the blue he received an email from none other than Benson containing a cover of one of Young's own songs. Benson invited Young to travel to Nashville to meet in person, and impressed with Young's talent, expressed his interest in helping him produce an album. The decision was easy for Young to make. Young wasn't going to pass up a chance to seriously pursue his own songwriting and moved to Nashville where he immersed himself in the city's live music scene, and began recording Give Me My Change with Benson at the all-analog studio Welcome to 1979.

The past year has been full of heady times for Young, reaching a highpoint while opening for The Raconteurs this past fall at The Tabernacle Atlanta with home town family and friends in attendance. 2012 should bring more adventure with his first trip to SXSW, the April 10th release of Give Me My Change, and a tour with Benson to follow in May.

Upcoming U.S. Tour Dates:

*= w/ Brendan Benson

MARCH

13 - 16 - Austin, TX - SXSW

APRIL

28 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge* (Additional support by The Howling Brothers)

MAY

03 - Philadelphia, PA - World Café Live*

05 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom*

10 - San Diego, CA - Casbah*

12 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour*

Brendan Benson Launches Record Label and New Album news

2012-01-25T12:32:00.000-05:00

Beloved musician, songwriter/producer and co-founder of The Raconteurs, Brendan Benson is thrilled to announce the launch of his own record label and publishing company, Readymade. This spring, Readymade will make its debut on the international stage with new releases from Benson (What Kind of World - 4/21 through BrendanBenson.com to coincide with his son's 2^nd birthday with a 4/24 street date) and the first artist signed to the label, Young Hines (Give Me My Change - 4/10). Benson will be showcasing his new album at SXSW 2012 as well as on May tour dates where Young Hines will support in the U.S.

Readymade was born in the 90's when Benson released the Wellfed Boy demos under the imprint as a 12" vinyl. At the time Readymade was merely a concept due to a lack of resources to build a proper record label. Over a decade later Benson partnered with manager Emily White, who brought the idea to fruition, making Readymade a legitimate label around Benson's musical output. Says White, "Brendan produced 5 albums in 2011, including his own. Launching Readymade gives us the option of a release platform tailored to each album under the same home. We wanted a way for Brendan to be able to create music when and how he wants and be able to put out the music sans any barriers. The answer to what we were looking for is Readymade."

Launching an artist-owned label has its obvious creative and business benefits from artistic freedom to master ownership. But it can hit roadblocks when it comes to funding the team members that help promote a new release. This is where Readymade has found a truly innovative approach to the traditional business model. Rather than forego promotion or production quality, Benson and his manager developed a team of credible individuals and companies within the industry to work on album releases for a commission taken from music sales and song placements. The new approach allows them to operate without front-end costs while providing greater motivation and potential payoff for all parties involved.

Readymade will be bringing us Benson's What Kind of World and Young Hines' Give Me My Change, the first two Readymade releases, as well as the upcoming Benson produced album from Irish duo The Lost Brothers. Each album will benefit from team members and relationships with Thirty Tigers, Downtown Music Publishing, Terrorbird, Big Hassle, Hard Boiled Inc., Toolshed, and Music Alternatives.

Stay posted for music and further news from Readymade and their upcoming releases.

Upcoming Brendan Benson U.S. Tour Dates w/ Young Hines supporting:

MARCH

13 - 16 - Austin, TX - SXSW (Brendan Benson only)

APRIL

28 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge (Additional support by The Howling Brothers) *

MAY

03 - Philadelphia, PA - World Café Live*

05 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom**

10 - San Diego, CA - Casbah*

12 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour*

*On-sale Friday January 6^th

**Amex Pre-sale Wednesday January 11^th, General on-sale Friday January 13th

www.brendanbenson.com

Jason Aldean Smashes Venue Attendance Records on Opening Weekend!

2012-01-24T15:21:00.000-05:00

Jason Aldean kicked off the 2012 leg of his MY KINDA PARTY TOUR with a sold-out first run in Greenville, SC, Fayetteville, NC and Orlando, FL this weekend. Each of those shows set new attendance records for the arenas. Fellow Georgia natives Luke Bryan and Lauren Alaina joined Aldean, with DeeJay Silver returning to the tour to keep the party going between sets with his signature rock and country mixes.

Due to overwhelming demand for this final leg of the MY KINDA PARTY TOUR, the new production features a 360-degree configuration that allows fans who couldn't get tickets before to purchase a view from the rear of the stage. The 2012 MY KINDA PARTY TOUR is an extension of the record-breaking 2011 leg that sold one million tickets across the country last year.

"I'm not gonna lie…its a big challenge to try and entertain people who are on all sides of you. I have to work a lot harder, and I come off the stage absolutely drenched. The opening weekend was unbelievable, and I had a blast pulling Luke and Lauren up on stage during different parts of the show. It's fun to keep the fans guessing and surprised. Sometimes, I even get surprised…we had a few stage jumpers, so that kept it interesting for all of us! The fans were out of their minds this weekend!."

Additionally, Aldean is releasing "Fly Over States" to radio this week. The fifth single off his DOUBLE PLATINUM album MY KINDA PARTY, the song is an ode to the beauty and hardworking spirit of our country's heartland. Entertainment Weekly said, "The song has the kind of soaring chorus that makes you want to press 'repeat' as soon as it ends.

To stream "Fly Over States," click here: http://www.thegreenroompr.com/jasonaldean.html

Aldean's DOUBLE PLATINUM fourth record MY KINDA PARTY was the top-selling country album of 2011 and the No. five best-seller in all genres. The CMA Album of the Year was also named iTunes' "Country Album of the Year" and came in at No. four on Billboard's all-genre Year End Top 200 Albums chart.

For a full list of appearances and upcoming tour dates, visit www.jasonaldean.com.

Five Finger Death Punch Announce Canadian Tour/Select West Coast US Dates

2012-01-24T10:23:00.000-05:00

American Capitalism will be heading to the Great White North this spring. Five Finger Death Punch has announced they will tour Canada as well as the Western US beginning this March, with legendary Soulfly as support, as well as Windowpane and Persist. 5FDP will headline Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg and more, while also playing a special Las Vegas hometown show alongside other western-US markets. Singer Ivan Moody shared, "The few times we've been to Canada it's been absolutely phenomenal. The fact that we get to take a band like Soulfly with us on a tour like this says it all. This is going to be one hell of a great time, in no uncertain terms." Guitarist Zoltán Báthory added, "We only played a handful of dates in Canada, but they were all sold-out so we are really looking forward to a headlining tour up there. What makes it even sweeter is taking one of our favorite bands Soulfly with us on this trek. As we are playing bigger and bigger venues, I think it became our responsibility to help expose some great metal bands to our more diverse audience ."

This will be 5FDP's first proper headlining tour in Western Canada, where their current album, American Capitalist is already more than halfway to CRIA-Certified Gold Record Status - a mere three months after its release. 5FDP's previous album, War is the Answer, is projected to hit CRIA-GOLD Status this spring, right around the time of the tour.

In the US, 5FDP continues to rack up impressive sales with over 280,000 copies of American Capitalist already sold. Incredibly, American Capitalist is selling twice as fast as their previous Gold record, War Is the Answer- which itself has been one of the best-selling hard rock/ metal albums of the last five years.5FDP's current hit single, "Remember Everything" is already Top Five at Active Rock and climbing; their lead single, "Under and Over It," was recently named Sirius Octane's Song of the Year, and American Capitalist was named a Top Album of 2011 by ARTISTdirect.

Tickets go on sale to the general public the weekend of January 27^th and 28^th, but special VIP packages and tickets will be available starting WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25^th 3pm LOCAL at www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH HEADLINING TOUR W/ SOULFLY, WINDOWPANE, PERSIST

MARCH 2012

FRI 23 Las Vegas, NV The Joint

SAT 24 Pomona, CA Fox Theater

MON 26 Fresno, CA Rainbow Ballroom

TUE 27 Modesto, CA Modesto Center Plaza

WED 28 Redding, CA Redding Convention Center

FRI 30 Yakima, WA Yakima Valley Sundome

SAT 31 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre

APRIL 2012

MON 2 Dawson Creek, BC EnCana Events Centre

WED 4 Calgary, AB MacEwan Hall, University of Calgary

THU 5 Edmonton, AB "Thaw at the Shaw" @ Shaw Center

SAT 7 Regina, SK Agribition

MON 9 Winnipeg, MB Burton Cumming Theater

WED 11 Rapid City, SD Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Arena

THU 12 Casper ,WY Casper Event Center

Pulp Returns To The U.S. for First time in over a Decade

2012-01-23T21:05:00.002-05:00

FIRST U.S. PERFORMANCES SINCE 1998

Pulp will return to the U.S. this spring for the first time in more
than a decade to play Coachella, The Warfield in San Francisco, and
Radio City Music Hall in New York. The shows will involve all the
original members of the band -- Nick Banks (drums), Jarvis Cocker
(vocals, guitar), Candida Doyle (keyboards), Steve Mackey (bass),
Russell Senior (violin, guitar) and Mark Webber (guitar) -- and they
will be playing songs from all periods of their career.

April 11 -- New York, NY -- Radio City Music Hall
April 13 -- Indio, CA -- Coachella
April 17 -- San Francisco, CA -- The Warfield
April 20 -- Indio, CA -- Coachella

Pulp returned from a nine-year hiatus last summer, performing at
festivals in Europe and Australia. They last played in the U.S. on a
June 1998 tour in support of their "This Is Hardcore" album.

# # #

official site: http://pulppeople.com/

Esperanza Spalding Tour Dates Announced

2012-01-23T21:05:00.001-05:00

Esperanza Spalding has announced world tour dates beginning April 18, 2012, as the bassist, vocalist and composer unveils the brilliant compositions of her new release, Radio Music Societyinto a dynamic "big band" format.

It has not taken Spalding long to emerge as one of the brightest lights in the musical world. Listeners familiar with her stunning 2008 Heads Up International debut, Esperanza, and her best-selling 2010 release Chamber Music Society, were well aware that the young bassist, vocalist and composer from Portland, Oregon was the real deal, with a unique and style-spanning presence, deeply rooted in jazz yet destined to make her mark far beyond the jazz realm. That judgment was confirmed on February 13, 2011, when Spalding became the first jazz musician to receive the GRAMMY^®Award for Best New Artist.

Spalding's latest release, Radio Music Society, set for March 20, 2012, is her most diverse, ambitious and masterful recital yet. Each of the 12 songs are accompanied by conceptual music videos, which further express her inspiration and story behind each track. Shot in various locations including New York City, Barcelona and Portland, all videos will be available to purchasers of Radio Music Society as a digital download or a DVD on the deluxe version.

Upcoming national TV appearances for Spalding include the Late Show with David Letterman, The View and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Look for features on Radio Music Society in O! Magazine, Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Latina Style, Glamour, W Magazine, Essence, Vibe, Men's Journal and Hemispheres in-flight magazine,as well as USA Today, the New York Times, Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal, among others.

Fans of Spalding who purchase tickets thru Ticketmaster will receive a free song download of "City of Roses" from Radio Music Society, and in celebration of Black History Month, can purchase the e-single "Black Gold" (which includes a music video) on iTunes beginning February 7.

April 18 - Buffalo, NY - Center for the Arts - tickets onsale January 20

April 19 - Cleveland, OH - Metro Campus Auditorium - tickets onsale January 20

April 21 - New York, NY - Webster Hall - tickets onsale January 20

April 22 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre - tickets onsale January 17

April 24 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre - tickets onsale January 27

April 25 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom - tickets onsale January 27

April 27 - Hollywood, CA - The Music Box - tickets onsale January 21

April 28 - Phoenix, AZ - JW Desert Ridge Jazz Festival - tickets onsale January 16

May 1 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues - tickets onsale January 16

May 2 - Houston, TX - House of Blues - tickets onsale January 16

May 3 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - tickets on sale now

May 5 - Austin, TX - Paramount Theatre - tickets onsale January 20

May 23 - Paris, France - La Cigale - tickets onsale TBD

May 28 - London, UK - KoKo - tickets onsale TBD

June 27 - Ottawa, ON - Ottawa Jazz Festival - tickets onsale TBD

June 29 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis Theatre - tickets onsale now

June 30 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center - tickets onsale TBD

More dates will be announced in the coming weeks. Follow the Radio Music Society online at: www.esperanzaspalding.com

Leslie West To Return To The Road

2012-01-23T21:05:00.000-05:00

The Vehicle Production Group, a brand new American car company that designs, engineers, and distributes specialty vehicles, has altruistically gifted a brand new MV-1 to Leslie West. Faced with the challenges of touring following the June, 2011 amputation of his right leg above the knee, the MV-1 is the first mobility vehicle designed from the ground up for wheelchair accessibility, and this act of kindness has solved the major obstacle that derailed the guitarist's prior plans to return to the road.

The MV-1 is not an aftermarket conversion. The vehicle is the only factory built mode of transportation that meets or exceeds the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) direct from the factory. The fully boxed, body-on-frame design provides unrivaled strength, safety, and durability, and the MV-1 meets or exceeds all of the requirements set by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). The Vehicle Production Group has partnered with AM General to assemble the MV-1 at their state-of-the-art plant in Mishawaka, Indiana, the former home of the Hummer H2. This new product is the only vehicle made in America with a factory installed Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel system option.

West received the vehicle from The Vehicle Production Group on December 22, 2011. The guitarist shared, "This is nicer than any guitar I have ever owned, and I've had some pretty incredible instruments including my own Leslie West Dean Signature Series. I was speechless. People would be proud to own this vehicle. The gestures made collectively by Fred, Brian and Steven, are the most generous I have experienced in my life." Fred Drasner, Chairman of The Vehicle Production Group LLC added, "From my days at Woodstock, to the release of Unusual Suspects, I always thought Leslie West was the best. When I heard his tour was cancelled because of a lack of accessible transportation, I was thrilled to be in a position to help him get back on the road. For me and his millions of fans, that is where he should be. All of us at VPG are extremely proud to be a part of getting Leslie safely back on the road in comfort and style in his new MV-1".

West will return to the road on January 31st for initial performances in the Northeastern U.S. Confirmed shows with Uli Jon Roth include appearances in:

1/31 New York, NY BB Kings

2/01 Foxborough, MA Showcase Live

2/03 Sellersville, PA Sellersville Theatre

2/04 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom

West is a guitar god. From the Sixties through today, he has been revered by artists and fans alike. He has been in command of one of the biggest, boldest electric guitar tones known to humankind from the 1969 Woodstock Festival that placed his band Mountain in to historical lore through his current release Unusual Suspects. At age 66, West continues to remain current, as witnessed by the assemblage of legends joining him on the album which include Billy Gibbons, Slash, Zakk Wylde, Joe Bonamassa and Steve Lukather, alongside Kenny Aronoff. West shared, "These guys don't show up to play on everybody's albums. They're stars in their own right and fantastic players – everyone with their own sound and style, and about as far from 'the usual suspects' as it gets."

The Joy Formidable Announce Headlining US Tour in March

2012-01-23T21:04:00.000-05:00

Welsh trio The Joy Formidable are happy to announce headlining tour dates across the United States for March of 2012. The tour will begin on March 12 in San Francisco and end on April 2 in Toronto. On the way, the band will play such major markets as Los Angeles at The Music Box on March 14 and New York's Terminal 5 on March 28. The band will be supported on all dates by A Place To Bury Strangers. Exitmusic will open for both bands beginning in Minneapolis on March 19. For complete tour dates and information, please see below.

The tour is the band's first news in the US following a breakout 2011 year, where the band released their debut full-length The Big Roar to great acclaim upon release and as part of year-end retrospectives. Paste included the album on their top 50 albums of 2011 list, noting the band has created "a sound that is uniquely their own, but still nostalgic for rock of the past."

Songs from The Big Roar made numerous critic's best songs of 2011 lists, from Rolling Stone, who called "The Everchanging Spectrum of a Lie" "Nearly eight minutes of cranium-rattling alt-rock noise, building an end-of-days racket from singer-guitarist Ritzy Bryan's juddering riffs and furious wails;" to Pitchfork, who called "Whirring" "an aerobic rush of a song that builds to [an] explosive alt-rock chorus," hailing the band as "prime purveyors of bubble-grunge nostalgia." iTunes named "Whirring" their Alternative Song of the year, while NPR named it one of their 100 favorite tracks of the year, and also named The Joy Formidable as one of their favorite new bands of the year. Local publications named the band's live show as one of the best of 2011, including the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Chicago Tribune. The Chicago Tribune praised the band's performance, noting "Their boundless energy should serve them well as they ready their sophomore album."

The band ended 2011 with a bang, supporting the Foo Fighters for multiple dates along their east coast tour. The band performed on CBS' The Late Show With David Letterman, NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, and Conan. 2011 also found the band appearing with their new song "Endtapes" as the opening track on The Twilight Saga: Breaking Down Part 1 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

The Joy Formidable Tour Dates

Mar 12 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent *

Mar 13 - San Francisico, CA @ The Independent *

Mar 14 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Music Box *

Mar 17 - Denver, CO @ The Bluebird Theatre *

Mar 19 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café *^

Mar 20 - Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre *^

Mar 22 - Bloomington, IN @ The Bluebird *^

Mar 23 - Cincinnati, OH @ 20^th Century Theatre *^

Mar 24 - Atlanta, GA @ Masqureade *^

Mar 25 - Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel *^

Mar 26 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club *^

Mar 28 - New York City, NY @ Terminal 5 *

Mar 29 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer *^

Mar 31 - Montreal, QC @ Cabaret Mile-End *^

Apr 02 - Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace *^

* with A Place To Bury Strangers

^ with Exitmusic

http://www.thejoyformidable.com/

Black Sabbath Guitarist Tony Iommi Diagnosed With Lymphoma

2012-01-23T21:01:00.000-05:00

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the "early
stages of lymphoma," according to a statement sent out by the band's
publicist. "His bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes
to the guitarist at this time," the statement says. "Iommi is
currently working with doctors to establish the best treatment plan.
The 'Iron Man' of Rock and Roll remains upbeat and determined to make
a full and successful recovery."

Two months ago the original lineup of Black Sabbath announced plans to
record their first album of new material since 1978's Never Say Die!
with producer Rick Rubin. They had been working in Los Angeles, but
Iommi's diagnosis has caused them to move recording over to England.

Riley Etheridge Jr's forthcoming EP "Better Days"

2012-01-23T20:59:00.001-05:00

NYC-based Americana singer-songwriter Riley Etheridge Jr. will be releasing a four-song EP, "Better Days," in digital format via Rock Ridge Music on January 24, 2012 (see track listing below). The EP will be available through the usual digital download portals. Instead of utilizing a full band, or performing the songs as solo acoustic guitar arrangements (Etheridge's original idea for the recording), he opted to work with a trio lineup, which included drummer Dan Rieser and bassist Tim Luntzel. Felix McTeigue (who also co-wrote the title track) produced the EP.

Says Etheridge of the process: "I am really pleased with the 'live' and spontaneous approach that we took. It was a completely different experience for me, which I enjoyed. I met Dan and Tim after seeing them perform in NYC, and, on just a few days' notice, they agreed to meet and track these songs with me at a studio in Brooklyn. It was done live over two brief sessions. I love how simple the arrangements are. We picked this group of four songs as our favorites out of about seven songs and 'rolled the tape' with no charts, click track or rehearsal. We at most did two or three takes of each track. One friend who heard the tracks called it 'real people playing real music,' and I viewed that as a major compliment, and the result of an experiment that paid off."

"Better Days" is the follow-up to Etheridge's 2011 release, "Powder Keg," his sophomore album. Etheridge may call New York City his home now, but his music sounds like he's still living down South. A South Carolina native, Etheridge spent many years living - and playing music - in Louisiana. "Powder Keg" deftly blended together rock, country, blues, soul, and folk into a rich Americana sound. Etheridge's first album, "Things I Used To Know," came out in 2010. Atlanta's A-List has compared Etheridge to Radney Foster, Billy Joe Shaver and Uncle Tupelo, while Owl Magazine lauded Etheridge's "blues/country fusion that just plain grooves." Innocent Words praised Etheridge's lyrics, saying, "…nothing grabs your attention more than Etheridge's clever word play and finesse with the language of love, lust, and loss. …[Etheridge is] a songwriter with real intellect who makes you want to hit the repeat button again and again to catch what he said."

"BETTER DAYS" TRACK LISTING:

"Even As We Fall"

"The More Time Passes By"

"Roll With The Tide"

"Better Days"

www.rileyetheridge.com

Ultraviolet Hippopotamus announces 15-state, 30+ city Telektonon Tour

2012-01-23T20:59:00.000-05:00

The five-piece, progressive improvisational act Ultraviolet
Hippopotamus is excited to announce its 2012 Telektonon Tour featuring
more than 30 dates in 15 states throughout the Midwest, Southeast and
Colorado from Feb. 1 - March 17. The "Launch Party" for the tour is in
the band's hometown of Grand Rapids on Feb. 4 at The Pyramid Scheme
and includes original guitarist Sam Guidry who joins the band for
first time since his final appearance on New Year's Eve 2010. The tour
is also highlighted by a week of shows in Colorado and features a
four-day run supporting Papadosio in Bloomington, Urbana, Chicago and
St. Louis at the end of February. Also included is a stop at the AURA
Music & Arts Festival in St. Cloud, FL and a St. Patrick's Day weekend
in Virginia with Jahman Brahman.

Ultraviolet Hippopotamus is an explosive five-piece progressive
improvisational band with a rapidly growing fan base across the U.S.
and, more recently, Europe. Described as "brightening the future of
the jam band scene," Ultraviolet Hippopotamus mixes tight, funky jams
with new dance beats, heartfelt lyrics, compelling composition,
eccentric effects and a vibrant light show for an incredible,
one-of-a-kind musical experience. Known for its on-stage musical
alchemy – cultivated from years of relentless touring – the band
performs an eclectic selection of technically demanding compositions
and improvised material along with unconventional and fun covers.

The group deftly journeys between funk, jazz, livetronica, space rock,
reggae, bluegrass, and progressive rock within a single show and,
sometimes, within a single song. Exploring new ground and taking risks
make every performance unique, and fans are never sure what exactly
the band will deliver each night; other than exceptional music.

Last year was huge for the nationally touring band. It's highly
praised third album, "Square Pegs, Round Holes," reached No. 3 and
spent much of the year in the top 25 of the Relix
Magazine/Jambands.com National Radio Chart. The album was also voted
"2011 Studio Album of the Year" at the Home Grown Music Network, and
received similar nominations from several radio programs, among other
acclaim. The album continues to sell steadily and receives airplay
across the U.S. as well as internationally in Italy, Brazil, France,
Switzerland, England, Spain, Germany and other countries. Also,
guitarist Russell Olmsted joined the likes of Jimmy Herring and John
Bell (Widespread Panic), Jake Cinninger (Umphrey's McGee), Hunter
Brown (STS9), Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), Warren
Haynes (Gov't Mule), Derek Trucks and Dweezil Zappa in being sponsored
and named a "featured artist" by Fuchs Audio, makers of boutique
guitar amplifiers and FX pedals. Despite the achievements obtained in
2011, however, the band anticipates accomplishing even more in the
coming year.

Anyone remotely familiar with the 'jam band sound' will immediately
recognize Ultraviolet Hippopotamus' influences and genre-mixing
musical objectives, but the band adds a level of talent, intricacy and
polish that truly sets it apart. Tight, energetic jams and outstanding
vocals — a true rarity among the band's peers — coupled with the act's
spontaneity and strong songwriting add to its appeal. The word is out,
and the band is quickly developing into an international sensation.

www.uvhippomusic.com

Miley Cyrus' New Video, "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go," Premieres Today

2012-01-23T20:57:00.000-05:00

"You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go," Miley Cyrus' new video, will premiere simultaneously at http://mileycyrus.com and at Amnesty International's Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/amnestyusa. Cyrus' poignant rendition of the classic Dylan song - which originally appeared on his landmark 1975 album, Blood on the Tracks- appears on Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International. "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" has been added out of the box by MTV Hits, MTV.com, CMT Pure and CMT.com.

Chimes of Freedom will be released tomorrow, January 24, in North America through Fontana Distribution and on February 6 internationally through Fontana International, a Universal Music company. Featuring what The New York Times described as "a genre-busting, cross-generational cast," the collection will be available in several configurations. The 4-disc CD set will contain a total of 73 tracks while 76 tracks will be available via individual digital download and a bundled digital album. In addition, a two-disc CD set of Chimes of Freedom with 31 tracks will be available at Starbucks beginning tomorrow.

Chimes of Freedom is dedicated to the thousands of people worldwide who are imprisoned or threatened for the peaceful expression of their beliefs. For more information, visithttp://www.amnestyusa.org/chimes.

Rodrigo y Gabriela to Tour with Backing Band C.U.B.A. news

2012-01-19T17:54:00.000-05:00

ATO Records is excited to announce Rodrigo y Gabriela's spring 2012 tour dates in support of their soon to be released album Area 52 (January 24th). Area 52 contains nine of Rod and Gab's favorite songs from their own catalogue re-arranged and recorded in Havana with legendary producer Peter Asher and a 13-piece Cuban orchestra comprised of some of the country's finest young players. This spring, Rodrigo y Gabriela will be bringing the band C.U.B.A. on the road in order to showcase the thrilling and dynamic hybrid of metal, latin and jazz featured on the album in a live setting. It will mark the first time in their careers that Rodrigo y Gabriela have toured and performed with a backing band. In addition to the coming tour, Rodrigo y Gabriela were recently confirmed to perform on the upcoming 38th season of the long running tv series Austin City Limits.

Watch the trailer for Area 52

Rodrigo y Gabriela and C.U.B.A. - Area 52 Album Trailer

Listen to "Juan Loco" from Area 52 on SoundCloud

http://soundcloud.com/ato_records/rodrigo-y-gabriela-juan-loco

Area 52 was mixed by Rafa Sardina, one of the leading studio musicians in the Latin music world, and arranged by London-based pianist, composer and arranger Alex Wilson. Recording took place in the Miramar district of Havana, Cuba, at Abdala Studios, founded by the Cuban folk hero Silvio Rodriguez, as well as at Rod and Gab's studio in Ixtapa, Mexico. Other players on the record include: drummer John Tempesta (The Cult, Testament, White Zombie), sitarist Anoushka Shankar and drummer Samuel Formell (Los Van Van).

Area 52 Album Pre-Order: http://rodgab.com/store_us.html

BLITZEN TRAPPER ANNOUNCE MARCH TOUR AND PREMIERE NEW VIDEO

2012-01-13T09:53:00.000-05:00

Following the release of their record, American Goldwing, last September via Sub Pop Records, Blitzen Trapper kept their fans entertained with an extensive US tour through the end of 2011. With a late October performance of "Love the Way You Walk Away" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon under their belt, the Portland based band finished off the year with yet another TV appearance, this time on the Late Show with David Letterman where they played fan favorite "Might Find It Cheap". After a brief holiday hiatus, Blitzen Trapper is back with a new run of tour dates and a brand new music video for the song "Taking It Easy Too Long." The video was directed by the band's drummer, Brian Adrian Koch. Full list of 2012 tour dates below with The Parson Red Heads (Arena Rock Recording Co.) supporting.

What people are saying about Blitzen Trapper:

"Blitzen Trapper's Eric Earley performs the amazing feat of making alt-country seem fresh on the band's gripping sixth album. This Portland, Oregon quintet has long excelled at energizing rootsy sounds with trashy noise, but Earley's true trump card is smart, vivid songwriting that transcends genres." - SPIN Magazine

"It's a simplistic but intoxicating roots fantasy - full of Dylan mysticism, spidery acoustic Dead jamming, tasty 1970s rock moves and evocations of high-plains drifters with ichy trigger fingers drinking from jam jars." - Rolling Stone

"The stories here are the stuff of swamp rock legend: Characters are drinking too much whiskey late at night, fantasizing about loving or leaving the finest women in town, returning home, and piecing together the wonders of the natural world... Blitzen Trapper has once again succeeded in crafting an album that fits with the classics." - Under the Radar

Blitzen Trapper March 2012 Tour Dates

Mar 3 Arcata CA @ Humboldt Brews Tickets
Mar 5 Sacramento CA @ Harlow's  Tickets
Mar 6 Visalia CA @ The Cellar Door Tickets (Howlin' Rain & The Parson Red Heads Supporting)
Mar 7 Los Angeles CA @ Troubadour Tickets
Mar 9 Santa Barbara CA @ SOhO Restaurant and Music Club Tickets
Mar 10  Long Beach CA @ Alex's Bar Tickets
Mar 11 Phoenix AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom Tickets
Mar 12 Tucson AZ @ Club Congress Tickets
Mar 19  Albuquerque NM @ Launchpad
Mar 20 Telluride CO @ Sheridan Opera House Tickets
Mar 22 Salt Lake City UT @ The State Room Tickets
Mar 23 Boise, ID @ Neurolux (Treefort Music Festival)

The Explorers Club to release album on February 14th

2012-01-04T18:08:00.000-05:00

The Explorers Club, a band hailing from Charleston, SC, is proud to announce that the release date has been set for its sophomore set, "Grand Hotel" – it is scheduled for U.S. release via Rock Ridge Music (with distribution via ADA) on February 14, 2012. Mark Linett, who mixed The Beach Boys' "SMiLE" for Capitol Records (which was recently called "the most famous unfinished album in rock & roll history" by Rolling Stone magazine), was responsible for the mix on "Grand Hotel." The first single from the album, "Run Run Run," will go to Triple A and non-commercial radio in January.

The band was thrilled Linett was able to do the mix; as band mastermind Jason Brewer put it, "We're honored that he's signed on, and when we got the first couple of mixes back from him, we knew that 'Grand Hotel' was about to be enhanced beyond what we thought even possible! His association with Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, among others, made him the perfect choice for us."

"Grand Hotel" is the long-anticipated follow-up to the band's close-your-eyes-and-you'd-swear-it-was-the-Beach Boys debut, "Freedom Wind," and was produced in Atlanta by band member Jason Brewer, along with co-producer Matt Goldman. It features fifteen tracks that once again take listeners back in time to a period when radio was laden with songs by Burt Bacharach, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, and pop mainstays like The Grass Roots.

In advance of the release of "Grand Hotel," the band readied three EP "suites" (each featured one cover song not on the album, bundled with two early "under-construction" [pre-Linett] mixes of tracks from the forthcoming set). The suites ("Carolinian," "Californian," and "New Yorker") were released in late 2011 for free download on Amazon.com.

Regarding the "Carolinian Suite," Obscure Sound wrote: "All three songs are exceptional… it's safe to say Grand Hotel is easily one of my most anticipated 2012 albums." Rawkblog commented on The Explorers Club's sound on the "Carolinian Suite," saying: "[It] finds them looking to Burt Bacharach's complex chords and Hal David's witty lyrics for further inspiration, a sound evident on 'Sweet Delights' — a track that nods back to 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head.'" Hyperbolium lauded the "Carolinian Suite" as well with the following: "The Carolinian Suite offers up the Club's take on the Classics IV's 'Stormy.' The band relaxes the song's tempo a notch, giving the arrangement a terrific, loungey air; Jason Brewer's… gentle blue-eyed soul, the harmony vocals and the jazzy guitar at song's end are terrific. The EP's original tunes include a ballad ('Sweet Delights') that sounds like mid-60s Brian Wilson crooning from the Great American Songbook, and the Burt Bacharach-styled 'It's No Use,' featuring an emotional vocal coda that's equal parts Little Anthony and Dionne Warwick."

The band plans to begin touring in January moving through the release of the album (see initial tour dates below).

The Explorers Club's debut, "Freedom Wind," was released to accolades in 2008 via Secretly Canadian's Dead Oceans label, and tracks from the album appeared on such hit television shows as "Bored To Death" (HBO), "The O.C." (FOX) and "How I Met Your Mother" (CBS). The press praise was extensive and glowing:

USA Today: "quite remarkable"

Time Out Chicago: "indulgent fun"

Uncut: "It's a toss-up whether Jason Brewer's classically crafted songs or the spot-on arrangements are more irresistible."

The Onion AV Club: "the album is beautiful – wholly, deeply, and truly."

UTNE Reader: "Pet Sounds just got 35 minutes longer."

Chicago Reader: "pristinely perfect"

San Francisco Bay Guardian: "instantly hummable soda-fountain swooners"

Performer Magazine: "a wonderfully cotton-candy sweet album of indie-pop gems that bring to mind the breezy/orchestral pop of years gone by."

The Explorers Club is: Jason Brewer (guitars, keyboards, vocals), Dave Ellis (guitars, mandolin, accordian, percussion, vocals), Wally Reddington III (bass, vocals), Justin James (guitar, steel guitar, vocals), Paul Runyon (keyboards, vocals), and Kyle Polk (drums).

THE EXPLORERS CLUB TOUR DATES:

1/4 – Chattanooga, TN – The Honest Pint

1/5 – Nashville, TN – The End

1/6 – Asheville, NC – Emerald Lounge

1/7 – Savannah, GA – The Jinx

2/10 – Atlanta, GA – Vinyl

2/11 – Durham, NC – The Casbah

2/14 – Boston, MA – Lizard Lounge

2/15 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall

2/16 – Brooklyn, NY – Spike Hill

…more dates to be announced!

www.explorersclubmusic.com

Live NPR Performance to Preview 2nd Tour Leg of 'One of the Great American Bands Today' as BUXTER HOOT'N Brings Acclaimed 'Cosmic American Music' on West Coast Trek

2012-01-03T18:10:00.000-05:00

BUXTER HOOT'N, the Bay Area Indie Americana rock outfit hailed as "one of the great American bands today" (Relix) and "guardians of what Gram Parsons famously termed 'Cosmic American Music'" (Dirty Impound), extends its 5^th anniversary tour in January with a West Coast swing behind its acclaimed self-titled third album. A national radio audience will get a live tour preview on NPR when the band performs Jan. 7 on Sedge Thomson's West Coast Live from the David Brower Center in Berkeley, CA, prior to their tour warm-up that night at San Francisco's Café du Nord. Check local listings or listen to the live stream at www.kalw.org.

Following a fall trek through the Midwest, the 2^nd leg takes BUXTER HOOT'N from the Pacific Northwest through Southern California, officially launching Jan. 18 at the Sunset Tavern in Seattle, and winding up Jan. 28 at the Uptown Nightclub in Oakland, CA. Other stops include Los Angeles; Portland, OR; Eugene, OR; Santa Cruz, CA; and a hometown concert in San Francisco (Jan. 25), where the SF Weekly elevated the band to "a classier plain of Americana among the likes of Bob Dylan and The National and Counting Crows from back when they were good."

After the tour, the band will head for Chicago to record their fourth album, due for a summer release. BUXTER HOOT'N's current album is an uncompromising look into the sound and spirit of a young band at a creative peak with their Americana roots, '60s folk-inspired songwriting, classic rock backbone and pop sensibilities. Produced in three non-stop, magical days in Chicago by Grammy-nominated Greg Magers and the members of BUXTER HOOT'N, the album showcases the band's superb musicianship.Ben Andrews, one of the best young multi-instrumentalists in rock, layers his virtuosic violin and guitar riffs with Vince Dewald'sand Melissa Merrill's intense and provocative vocals, Jimmy Dewald's explorative bass style, and Jeremy Shanok'ssophisticated, improvisational drumming.

The first single, "Blue Night," epitomizes BUXTER HOOT'N's mix of past and present into a standout, mellow indie rock back porch swinger. The story-driven "In The Morning" lyrically echoes Bob Dylan's early loner love ballads, while retaining the fiery rock 'n' roll that drove his mid-'60s and '70s work with The Band. Dylan-esque instrumentation is also present on the soaring harmonica of "Out The Door" and the finger picked opening of "Mariel," which effortlessly transitions into a colorful rock world forged by the Beatles. In the spirit of '60s protest songs, "Chief Justice Shepard" questions authority figures and the fairness of the legal system. Other highlights include the haunting fiddle showcase, "Go Get Your Gun" along with "Cover Band" and "Spill Some JuiceOn Me," two down-home, Allmans-style Southern rockers.

BUXTER HOOT'N TOUR WEST COAST TOUR

Sat., Jan. 7 Sedge Thomson's West Coast Live, David Brower Center, Berkeley, CA (10 a.m. PST)

Sat., Jan. 7 Cafe du Nord, San Francisco, CA

Wed., Jan. 18 Sunset Tavern, Seattle, WA

Thu., Jan. 19 Dante's, Portland, OR

Fri., Jan. 20 Axe & Fiddle, Eugene, OR

Sat., Jan. 21 Mamma Llama, Weaverville, CA

Wed., Jan. 25 Brick & Mortar, San Francisco, CA

Thu., Jan. 26 The Crepe Place, Santa Cruz, CA

Fri., Jan. 27 Molly Malone's, Los Angeles, CA

Sat., Jan. 28 Uptown Nightclub, Oakland, CA

Stream the Buxter Hoot'n album in its entirety

KISS - In Store Appearance - Peaches in Atlanta (1976)

2011-12-28T14:25:00.002-05:00

Phil Lesh and Friends WORLD PREMIERE Set with Warren Haynes and Jackie Greene 12-9-11 Orange Peel Xmas Pre Jam

2011-12-25T00:50:00.000-05:00

Phil Lesh and Friends WORLD PREMIERE Set with Warren Haynes and Jackie Greene 12-9-11 Orange Peel Xmas Pre Jam.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQIe31bXYDQ&feature=colike

Justin Townes Earle wins Song of the Year at 2011 Americana Music Awards

2011-12-24T15:15:00.000-05:00

(photo: Erika Goldring)

Justin Townes Earle won the award for Song of the Year for "Harlem River Blues" from the album of the same title, during the 2011 Americana Music Association Awards at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Released in late 2010, Harlem River Blues was also nominated for Album of the Year at this year's honors ceremony. In addition to Thursday night's win and nomination, Earle performed a rousing rendition of the song for the gathered crowd of peers and fans, a performance that can be heard HERE, courtesy of NPR. [Justin's performance can be found at the 35:35 mark, and his Song of the Year category announcement at 1:01:43.]

An edited version of the award show will be aired November 19, 2011 as a special episode of the new season of the highly-acclaimed PBS series Austin City Limits (check local listings for exact local day and time). "ACL PRESENTS: AMERICANA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2011" will reach approximately 98% of American TV households via PBS stations nationwide.

Harlem River Blues has received critical and popular support since its release in September of 2010. The album debuted on the Billboard Top 200 chart at #47 and has been praised by the likes of Rolling Stone, SPIN, Mojo, and through the support of Justin's appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, NPR's World Café and Morning Edition, and Prairie Home Companion.

You can watch Justin Townes Earle perform the now-AMA decorated "Harlem River Blues" on The Late Show with David Letterman HERE.

See more of Justin Townes Earle at his website: http://www.justintownesearle.com/

Buy the album and song "Harlem River Blues" at iTunes / Amazon / Bloodshot Records

Upcoming tour dates:

10/15 – Stoughton, WI – Stoughton Opera House

10/21 – Knoxville, TN – Square Room (with Joshua Black Wilkins)

10/22 – Charlotte, NC – Whitewater Center (with Sam Bush)

11/13 – Orlando, FL – Orlando Calling Festival

12/2 – New York, NY – Zankel Hall

12/3 – New York, NY – Foothills Performing Arts Center (with Tristen)

12/4 – Fall River, MA – Narrows Center for the Arts (with Tristen)

12/5 – Lewiston, ME – Olin Arts Center/Bates College (with Tristen)

12/8 – Milford, CT – Daniel Street (with Tristen)

12/9 – Hudson, NY – Club Helsinki (with Tristen)
12/10 – Boston, MA – Royale Nightclub (with Tristen)

12/29 – Telluride, CO – Sheridan Opera House

3/22-25 – Live Oak, FL – Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

3/31 – Cascade, IA – Ellen Kennedy Fine Arts Center

Top 11 CDs of '11 - Fred's Take

2011-12-24T04:29:00.000-05:00

1. Tedeschi Trucks Band – Revelator – The debut album from the spectacular husband-wife due Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, Revelator is everything one would expect, and more. Trucks’ uncanny agility on slide weaves magically with Tedeschi’s smoky, emotional vocals. When combined with an 11-member ensemble that includes Oteil and Kofi Burbridge, the result is a powerful, joyous recording that calls you back again and again.

2. Brantley Gilbert - Half Way to Heaven, Remixed, Remastered, Reactivated – An album that received fairly little attention, other than from Brantley’s fanatical underground fans, upon it’s initial release became an entirely different beast in the hands of producer extraordinaire Dan Huff. The songs, which were already potential hits, are now anthems that will be sung for decades to come. “Country Must Be Country Wide,” has become Brantley’s first Billboard #1. The song gives lead instrumentalist Jess Franklin (guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals to go along with a co-producer credit) the chance to shine, recalling his former band Tishamingo at their best, only this time fronted by an undeniable superstar, Brantley Gilbert. While most of the attention this album has received has come from country radio, that label is very deceiving. Half Way to Heaven is actually one bad ass, Southern outlaw rock record that deserves an overdue spin in your local music player.

3. Vince Gill - Guitar Slinger – One would think a man with 20 Grammy Awards would have a hard time topping himself. And yet Gill’s Guitar Slinger is arguably his finest work to date, highlighted by virtuoso guitar, filled with classic elegance. The real treat here, however, is how masterfully Gill blends flat out rock, harking back to the one and only Elvis, even with some of his vocals. If Gill’s name does not come to mind when you think of the best pickers on the planet, Guitar Slinger should be looked at as an introduction, or perhaps a reminder, to just how skilled this former Pure Prairie League member remains to this day. A true master, still at his best.

4. Warren Haynes Presents – The Benefit Concert Vol. 4 – Warren Haynes’ Xmas Jam in Asheville is known to feature numerous highlights each year. The fourth installment in his Benefit Concert CDs comes from 2002, a year filed with excitement. Jerry Joseph, “The Kind of Place” and “Climb to Safety,” and Robert Randolph, “Looking Out My Window” and “Shake Your Hips,” are standouts on disc one. CD two contains the show’s finest moments, namely songs from a Bob Weir & Friends set that sent the crowd in to a frenzy, then closing with three tracks from Gov't Mule’s Deep End lineup.

5. Dani Wilde – Shine – A relative unknown Canadian songwriter, Dani Wilde is a force to be reckoned with. An artist in total control, Wilde plays guitar with classic Claptonesque precision. Her true magic, however, is heard in her voice. Many of the tracks on Shine evoke the emotions of a church of music, in much the way as Chris Robinson or Mike Farris. “How Do You Do It” is perhaps the finest example, an angelic voice, straight from Motown, wrapped with gospel keys wrapping blankets of melody around a voice that seems a divine gift from above.

6. Galactic – The Other Side of Midnight, Live in New Orleans – If you are a fan of Galactic, then you already know The Other Side of Midnight is undeniably the group’s musical masterpiece. Recorded at legendary Tipitina’s in October 2010, the disc features the band performing tighter than ever, particularly when asking another performer on stage. Guests include Cyril Neville on an outright nasty version of the classic Meters’ “Gossip,” Trombone Shorty, and Corey Henry from the Rebirth Brass Band, members of the Royal Family doing New Orleans proud.

7. Booker T Jones – The Road from Memphis – Backed by a band featuring members of The Roots, along with Motown guitar Dennis Coffey, the legendary Booker T. Jones delivers his best release since 1962’s Green Onions. The former child prodigy is joined at times by guests ranging from Sharon Jones to Lou Reed to My Morning Jacket’s Jim James. Throughout, the disc calls to mind the funk/soul sounds that Jones and his organ helped create, the sounds that propelled Stax Records to fame.

8. Dawes - Nothing Is Wrong – The second release from the California roots-based rock band Dawes, one of few groups on the national scene keeping the Laurel Canyon sound alive. Nothing Is Wrong shows a band continuing to evolve, honing their skills while writing world class music. Perhaps not original, but a walk through days gone by in Southern California, grooving to perfect harmonies of fine 70’s pop rock, does one’s soul good, reminding of good times good done, and others yet to come.

9. Chris Cornell – Songbook- Preparing to hit the road for an acoustic tour, Chris Cornell recorded a striped down batch of material that includes classic tracks from his former bands Soundgarden, Audioslave, and Temple of the Dog. Though he stays true to the essence of the original song, Cornell’s soft, clear vocal deliver provides a new insight to the author’s original mindset when penning the material years ago. When Cornell covers Led Zeppelin’s “Thank You,” the listener can not only hear, but also feel, the sincerity of the emotion in his voice, and guitar, making this song alone worth the cost of the disc.

10. Warren Haynes Band – Man in Motion – Stepping away fro Gov’t Mule for most of the year did not mean there would be no new CD from the hardest working man in the music business, Mr. Warren Haynes. This seemed to be the logical time for Warren let his funk and soul side shine, something he occasionally displays with Mule or the Allman Brothers, though never prominently. With a band that includes bassist George Porter Jr., keyboardist Ivan Neville, former Faces piano player Ian McLagan, and saxophonist Ron Holloway, Warren uses his guitar more sparingly than usual, allowing more time to sing from deep in his soul. When he does cut lose on that Gibson guitar, the licks are as heartfelt and passionate as they come.

11. David Bromberg – Use Me – Bromberg’s emergence from a 17 year recording hiatus was greeted with huge critical acclaim. For his follow-up, Use Me, Bromberg decided to take a completely different approach and ask some of his favorite musicians to compose or select songs tailored to his distinctive style. Amongst the finest taking this master up on his offer were Los Lobos (“The Long Goodbye”), Vince Gill (“Lookout Mountain Girl”), Levon Helm “”Tongue” and “Bring it With You When You Come”), and Widespread Panic (“Old Neighborhood”). Though some may look at this as another cover album, most lovers of fine music will find Bromberg’s uniquely tasty picking to add just enough juice to the mix to take the material to extremely new heights, all the while remaining true to the brilliance of the original. An interesting journey, for sure.

Truth & Salvage Co. Perform with Nancy

2011-12-23T16:56:00.001-05:00

KINGS OF LEON DOC TO BE RELEASED NOVEMBER 1

2011-12-23T16:25:00.002-05:00

RCA Records is excited to announce the release of Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leonon November 1, 2011. The release will be available on both standard DVD and Blu Ray as well as digitally via iTunes. The DVD and Blu Ray editions will come with 45 minutes of bonus features including additional scenes not included in the film, two commentaries from the band and filmmakers as well as home-movie footage. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 21, garnered huge praise and was acquired by Showtime, premiering on the network on August 21.

When three teenaged brothers and their cousin rebelled against their strict, religious Southern upbringing to form Kings of Leon, their humble backstory garnered almost as much attention as their music. Many questioned if they were really related and if rumors of their father being a Pentecostal preacher were true. Since then, the band has achieved worldwide, Grammy^®Award-winning success and Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon lies to rest the mystery and myths as it details the rise to fame from their bible belt beginnings.

The documentary kicks off at the annual Followill family reunion in the back woods of Talihina, OK, where the boys return to their roots and unwind with their family. First-time director and Followill friend Stephen C. Mitchell weaves personal home videos, unedited interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of the band's journey from their small-town beginnings -- spent in poverty and touring the circuit with their father, a Pentecostal evangelist minister, and their devout mother -- to living the rock star dream.

Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon is produced by Casey McGrath for Phear Creative and executive produced by Nathan, Caleb, Jared and Matthew Followill.

"You Oughta Know" About Dawes

2011-12-23T16:25:00.001-05:00

VH1 has selected Dawes as their "You Oughta Know" artist for the month of September. Launched in 2004, VH1's "You Oughta Know" franchise introduces promising new artists on the rise to VH1's base of music lovers. Many "You Oughta Know" artists have gone on to win industry awards and accolades including "Best New Artist" Grammy Awards and nominations. This highly acclaimed franchise has helped break artists such as Adele, Amy Winehouse, Bruno Mars, The Civil Wars, Colbie Caillat, Corinne Bailey Rae, Foster The People, The Fray, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, James Blunt, Mumford & Sons, Sara Bareilles, Regina Spektor and many, many others.

Dawes are certainly a worthy and deserving selection for the "You Oughta Know" distinction given their road warrior ethic, their passionate and compelling live performances, combined with their beautifully crafted studio material that show depth and maturity in songwriting and performance beyond their years.

The current single, "Time Spent In Los Angeles" (music video directed by Sam Jones) showcases their heartfelt lyrics that touch upon the feeling of constant movement and endless fleeting moments spent from time on the road that endear the band to listeners from the restlessness and yearning quality in their music.

A self described "American rock 'n' roll band," Dawes is comprised of four talented friends (among them, two brothers)- Taylor Goldsmith singer/guitarist, Griffin Goldsmith on drums, Tay Strathairn on the keyboard and bassist Wylie Gelber.

'Nothing Is Wrong' is the follow-up to the band's 2009 debut, 'North Hills' (featuring their breakout anthem, "When My Time Comes"), an extraordinary record that was released quietly and soon became regarded among critics and fans across the country as a classic and must-own favorite.

A collection of songs that expertly builds upon the template laid by 'North Hills', 'Nothing Is Wrong' sees Dawes displaying strong growth and evolution while still manifesting their distinctive, unforgettable voice with their modern Americana sound incorporating warm guitars in gorgeous modern folk arrangements.

The album captures both Dawes' studio and stage approaches with their, matching the loose extemporaneity and crunchy dynamism of the band's live sets with finely honed arrangements and deft musicianship.

Dawes recently announced a North American fall tour, which they will be co-headlining with Blitzen Trapper. The 29-date tour will hit major cities across the US and Canada, including New York, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis, and San Francisco, culminating with a stop at The Music Box in Los Angeles. Prior to their fall tour, Dawes spent the summer supporting Bright Eyes and M. Ward during the week of their album release, serving as Jackson Browne's opening act and backing band in Europe, and most recently, opening for Alison Krauss & Union Station throughout the US.

VH1's "You Oughta Know" package features music videos on VH1 and streamed music videos, interviews, original video programming, tour updates, photos and more on VH1.com.

Little Feat LIVE 1976 Part 2 with Lowell George

2011-12-13T16:52:00.000-05:00

Little Feat LIVE 1976 Part 2 with Lowell George

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMbVw6BLOYI&feature=colike

Widespread Panic 11-14-91 PART 3 Walkin to Mercy

2011-11-30T17:03:00.000-05:00

LONGTIME CHARLIE DANIELS BAND KEYBOARDIST TAZ DIGREGORIO PASSES AWAY AT 67

2011-11-29T12:43:00.000-05:00

Joel 'Taz' DiGregorio, longtime keyboard player and vocalist for The Charlie Daniels Band, has passed away.

DiGregorio died Wednesday night as a result of injuries he sustained in a single car accident in Cheatham County, TN, while driving to meet the CDB tour bus. The accident occurred on I-40 West of Nashville. The band was scheduled to depart for Cumming, GA, for a concert appearance at the Cumming Country Fair and Festival on Oct. 13^th.

The CDB has cancelled their concerts scheduled for tonight, Oct. 13^th in Cumming, GA. at the Cumming Country Fair and Festival and Saturday, Oct. 15^th in Waterbury, CT. at the Palace Theater.

From Southbridge, Mass., Taz was an original member of the CDB for over 40 years and a co-writer on many CDB songs, including "The Devil Went Down To Georgia."

"I am in shock now, Taz was one of my best friends," says Charlie Daniels. "The CDB family has lost a great friend and musician. We traveled many miles together and shared so many nights on the road. We're going to miss you buddy. You were one of a kind and will never be forgotten. We send our deepest condolences to the family."

Nicole Atkins Releases Free Live EP

2011-11-28T17:59:00.000-05:00

NICOLE ATKINS TO RELEASE FREE LIVE EP NICOLE ATKINS AND THE BLACK SEA …TILL DAWN ON OCTOBER 6^TH

Download Album Here

Nicole Atkins and The Black Sea have releasde a new live EP Nicole Atkins and The Black Sea…Till Dawn, which is available for free download for a limited time. The EP will be available online at all DSPs for purchase on October 11^th. Recorded this July at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY, …Till Dawn captures Atkins' & The Black Sea's raw, energetic live performance. This EP follows the February release of her critically acclaimed sophomore album, Mondo Amore (Razor & Tie). Known for her powerful and hypnotic sound, Nicole's bluesy, psychedelic songs showcase her stunning vocal range.

Nicole has spent 2010 on the road playing a combination of headline shows, festival dates including Bonnaroo, Mountain Jam, and Ottawa Blues Fest, and supporting The Black Keys, Fountains of Wayne and the Avett Brothers. This past March Nicole took SXSW by storm, her set hand-picked for broadcast on Last Call with Carson Daly while Time Magazine named her performance one of the 10 best of the festival ....Till Dawn captures the live performance that Nicole Atkins and The Black Sea have become known for.

Download her new live EP …Till Dawn for free HERE (link: http://nicoleatkins.bandcamp.com/)

Watch exclusive 8MM live video of "My Baby Don't Lie" HERE.

October 6, 2011

…Till Dawn Track List:

1. This Is For Love

2. You Come To Me

3. Hotel Plaster

4. My Baby Don't Lie

5. The Tower

Nicole Atkins Tour Dates:

Sept 17 - Clark, NJ - Union County MusicFest

Sept 20 - Norfolk, VA - Constant Convocation Center*

Sept 21 - Reading, PA -Sovereign Center*

Sept 25 - Gilford, NH Meadowbrook - U.S. Cellular Pavilion*

Sept 27 - Cooperstown, NY - Brewery Ommegang *

Sept 29 - New York, NY -Webster Hall

Oct 5 Brooklyn, NY - Petty Fest- MHOW

Oct 6 - New York, NY Petty Fest - Bowery Ballroom

Oct 7 - Kingston, NY - O+ Festival

Oct 13 - Brooklyn, NY - The Interview Show - Union Hall

* with Avett Brothers

Widespread Panic CONTENTMENT BLUES to DOG SONG 9-17-90 Part 1

2011-11-03T17:02:00.000-04:00

Landslide Records Sets November 15 Date for Sean Costello " At His Best - Live" with 16 Previously Unreleased Tracks

2011-11-02T11:04:00.000-04:00

Sean Costello: At His Best – Live, a special album of live performances recorded by the late blues guitarist/singer, featuring 16 tracks of all previously unreleased live material recorded in the US and Europe from 2000-2007 will be released by Landslide Records on November 15. This first ever completely live album of Sean Costello performances includes 11 songs not on any prior Costello release. At His Best – Live was mastered by acclaimed producer/engineer Rodney Mills (Gregg Allman, Atlanta Rhythm Section) and represents the essence of Sean Costello's unique artistry and total devotion to the genre.

Landslide Records is distributed nationally in the U.S. by Select-O-Hits. A portion of the royalties from the sale of the album will benefit the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bi-Polar Research (http://www.seancostellofund.org).

Throughout At His Best – Live, Costello demonstrates why he was tagged as a blues artist of immense talent and potential at the age of 16, and how he continued to deliver on that promise up until his tragic death in April, 2008, just one day shy of his 29^thbirthday.

It also documents the strong overall musicianship Sean surrounded himself with throughout his career. In September of 2009, Landslide Records released Sean's Blues, a 20-track memorial retrospective collection culled from his three commercial album releases from 1996 through 2001, as well as previously unreleased tracks, which garnered rave reviews from fans and critics alike.

Now, on At His Best – Live, blues fans who never got to see Costello perform will hear what all the excitement was about; and for those fortunate enough to have experienced a Sean Costello show in-person, the new CD will bring back vivid memories of the energy force that drew audiences from all over the world to this incredibly talented musician.

"This CD release intends to share the incomparable power and magic of Sean Costello's shows," writes blues writer Tom Hyslop in the album's liner notes. "Drawing from clean soundboard recordings and warts-and-all, you-are-there audience tapes alike, it offers a fair representation of Costello's ever-evolving musical reach, including serious blues, sultry soul and R&B, and rock 'n' roll.

"When performing songs from his albums, Sean generally hewed closely to the reference versions. We have tried here to present rare performances in which Costello shook off those bonds and took artistic flight. More difficult was selecting the "best" takes of blues that Sean had not recorded, and therefore approached with complete liberty and palpable joy. On these favorites, his improvisations were reliably staggering, displaying his playful sense of humor, impeccable groove, chops, and attitude. It was a rare night that went by without Costello pulling down stars from the sky. Like his hero Johnnie Taylor, he was just doing his own thing. And how."

At His Best – Live showcases that special gift Sean Costello had to interpret songs and truly make them his own. The track list for the album highlights his mastery of Chicago blues, swing/jazz, funk, rhythm and blues, soul and rock. Highlights abound throughout the CD: witness his amazing take on Freddy King's "San-Ho-Zay", Lloyd Glenn's "Blue Shadows," Magic Sam's "All Your Love," Lowell Fulson's "Reconsider Baby" and Johnny "Guitar Watson's "Motor Head Baby" (wherein Sean ascends to interplanetary heights with his guitar work). On songs such as "T-Bone Boogie" and "The Hucklebuck," Costello exhibits a deft touch within the swing/jazz idiom with some amazing fretwork and interplay with standout keyboard player Matt Wauchope; and on such killer soul/rhythm & blues tracks as "I Get a Feeling," "Check It Out," "Can I Change My Mind" and "Doing My Own Thing," his soulful vocals and guitar work get inside the songs themselves. Closing out the set is Sean's version of Little Richard's classic, "Lucille," which shows that he could also rock out with the best of them.

Sean Costello: At His Best – Live - Track Listing

1. Introduction

2. San-Ho-Zay

3. Blue Shadows

4. T-Bone Boogie

5. All Your Love

6. I Get A Feeling

7. Check It Out

8. Can I Change My Mind

9. You're Killing My Love

10. Reconsider Baby

11. Doing My Own Thing

12. The Hucklebuck

13. Motor Head Baby

14. Hold On This Time

15. The Battle Is Over But The War Goes On

16. Peace Of Mind

17. Lucille

John Fogerty To Perform Complete Credence Records at New York's Beacon Theatre

2011-10-28T11:03:00.000-04:00

JOHN FOGERTY SET TO ROCK NEW YORK'S BEACON THEATRE

WITH UNPRECEDENTED TWO-NIGHT STAND;

ROCK & ROLL ICON TO PERFORM CLASSIC

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL ALBUMS

ALONGSIDE HIS AMAZING JUKEBOX OF TIMELESS HITS;

"COSMO'S FACTORY" SLATED FOR NOVEMBER 17^TH,

FOLLOWED BY "GREEN RIVER" ON NOVEMBER 18^TH

Legendary rocker John Fogerty has announced an unprecedented series of live shows at New York City's famed Beacon Theatre. "Looking Out My Back Door: John Fogerty Performs Live! The Albums of Creedence Clearwater Revival" will see Fogerty perform in their entirety "COSMO'S FACTORY" on November 17^th and "GREEN RIVER" on November 18^th. In addition, Fogerty will perform a bonus set comprising classic songs from the extraordinary CCR days to his solo canon of hits. Fogerty's special guests for both nights will be the acclaimed Delta Spirit.

Internet pre-sale tickets will be available beginning 8am EST this Saturday October 1. All remaining tickets will then go on sale to the general public on Monday October 10 at 10am EST. For full details and ticket information, please visit www.johnfogerty.com.

A number of additional live performances are also slated for November. Complete details can be found at www.johnfogerty.com/tour.aspx.

Fogerty and his crack band spent much the past summer rockin' all over the world, drawing rapturous critical acclaim at every stop. "Energetic, wired, and vital...Fogerty was simply a physical wonder to behold," exclaimed the Toronto Sun in a four-starred rave. The San Francisco Examiner declared Fogerty's "crowd-pleasing" set as one of the clear highlights of the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival, while Rolling Stone pointed out that "Fogerty couldn't hold back his enthusiasm."

John Fogerty is a true American treasure, one of popular music's all-time greatest singers, guitar players, and songwriters. His remarkable career began in his hometown of El Cerrito, California, soon earning massive popular and critical success with the one and only Creedence Clearwater Revival. As leader of CCR, Fogerty forged a distinctive, groundbreaking sound all his own, equal parts blues, country, pop, rockabilly, R&B, swamp boogie, and Southern fried rock 'n' roll, all united by his uniquely evocative lyrical perspective.

From 1968 to 1971, Creedence Clearwater Revival unleashed an incredible succession of hit singles and platinum certified albums that remains unparalleled in the annals of rock 'n' roll history. Their expansive cover of "Suzie Q" was followed by a stunning series of Fogerty-penned favorites that dominated rock and pop radio, including "Proud Mary," "Down On The Corner," "Born On The Bayou," "Have You Ever Seen The Rain," and what remains the definitive anti-war anthem, "Fortunate Son."

"GREEN RIVER," the second of three CCR albums released in 1969, proved their first out-and-out blockbuster. Fuelled by the smash singles, "Bad Moon Rising" and "Green River," not to mention the immortal "Lodi," the album spent three weeks atop the Billboard 200, confirming Fogerty's status among American rock 'n' roll's preeminent artists.

1970's "COSMO'S FACTORY" marked Creedence Clearwater Revival's biggest seller and greatest critical triumph. The album - currently certified 4x-platinum by the RIAA - stands tall as a veritable jukebox of iconic rock 'n' roll, from "Travelin' Band" and "Who'll Stop The Rain," to "Run Through The Jungle" and "Up Around The Bend," to "Lookin' Out My Back Door" and the epic "I Heard It Through The Grapevine."

After Creedence Clearwater Revival called it quits in 1972, Fogerty embarked on what would prove to be an equally impressive solo career. Among its many highlights are 1975's "JOHN FOGERTY" - featuring the rollicking "Rockin' All Over The World" - and 1985's #1 phenomenon, "CENTERFIELD." With its trio of timeless hit singles, including "The Old Man Down The Road," "Rock And Roll Girls," and the irresistible title track, the multi-platinum collection marked Fogerty's glorious return to the forefront of modern rock 'n' roll.

1997's "BLUE MOON SWAMP" earned Fogerty further acclamation, as well as a Grammy Award for "Best Rock Album." Among his many other honors are induction in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the BMI Pop Music Awards' prestigious "BMI Icon," and Performance Magazine's "Theater Tour of the Year" Award. In addition, Fogerty and "Centerfield" were honored during the 2010 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies - the first time the National Baseball Hall of Fame has immortalized a musician or song as part of the annual ceremonies.

Having made infrequent live appearances in the 90s, by 2004 he had made a full-throated return to the road, including the MoveOn.org-sponsored Vote For Change tour and his first series of European dates in more than three decades. Other live highlights include 2009's 25^thAnniversary Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Benefit Concerts at Madison Square Garden (which saw him performing alongside Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band) and a stellar main stage set at 2010's Bonnaro Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. Still going strong in 2011, Fogerty and his always electrifying backing band bring it each time they step upon a stage, performing his mind-blowing body of work to generation after generation of adoring fans.

Arthur Channel featuring current and former members of The Wallflowers, RHCP, QOTSA and more announce debut single and LA show

2011-10-27T09:14:00.000-04:00

Well-known names on the national and Los Angeles music scene Jack Irons (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eleven, Pearl Jam), Greg Richling (The Wallflowers) and Alain Johannes (Eleven, Queens Of The Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures) have combined forces with vocalist Jonathan Greene to create a new project called Arthur Channel.

The first single "Vapor" boasts a familiar yet non-derivative sound with its propulsive rhythm, shimmering guitars and hauntingly anthemic vocals. The track is available at iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/vapor-single/id472519105 and can be streamed at http://www.arthurchannel.com/. A full length release will follow in the first quarter of 2012 with tour dates to follow.

The band performs its Los Angeles debut at Sunset Strip institution The Viper Room at 9PM on Thursday, October 27. Tickets at the door are $15 and advance tickets can be purchased for $12 athttp://www.viperroom.com/blog/?page_id=1910 .

Jason Aldean Reveals first Cities for 2012 MY KINDA PARTY TOUR!‏

2011-10-26T13:23:00.000-04:00

After setting attendance records across the country this past summer, CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee Jason Aldean announced today that he is extending his MY KINDA PARTY tour into 2012. Fellow Georgia native and Capitol Nashville recording artist Luke Bryan will join Aldean in 2012 as special guest. The only date announced thus far; Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Feb. 24 sold out in just minutes.

"I never want this year to end," said Aldean. "This has been the best year of my career, and our shows just keep getting bigger and better, so we're just going to take the party on into the new year. Luke and I are really good friends…we hang out on our off days, we hunt and fish together, and we love to play music to our fans. It's gonna be a blast."

Aldean is currently on the road finishing up the remaining dates on the Fall leg of the 2011 MY KINDA PARTY tour, ending Oct. 28 in San Diego, CA. The new leg will begin in January with more details to be announced in the coming weeks.

FIRST ANNOUNCED CITIES ON THE 2012 MY KINDA PARTY TOUR:

Cedar Falls, IA

Champaign, IL

Charlottesville, VA

Dayton, OH

East Rutherford, NJ

Fayetteville, NC

Green Bay, WI

Greenville, SC

Huntsville, AL

Jonesboro, AR

Kansas City, MO

Nashville, TN

Oklahoma City, OK

Orlando, FL

St. Paul, MN

Tupelo, MS

Wichita, KS

Aldean is tied for the most nominations with five nods for the 45th Annual Country Music Association Awards, including his first ever in the categories of Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. His current Top 20 single "Tattoos On This Town" is the fourth release off his DOUBLE PLATINUM album MY KINDA PARTY and follows three consecutive PLATINUM certified and No. one hits for the disc. Aldean currently claims the top selling country album of the year.

Capitol Records Nashville artist Luke Bryan released his newest CD, tailgates & tanlines, earlier this summer debuting at No. one on the Billboard Country Albums chart and clinching the No. two spot on the Billboard Top 200 Chart. The album's first single, "Country Girl (Shake It For Me)," has sold over one million copies and became the fastest rising single of his career. Bryan's tailgates & tanlines album is the follow up to his GOLD-certified album Doin' My Thing, which produced three back-to-back No. one singles - "Do I," "Rain Is A Good Thing" and "Someone Else Calling You Baby."

For a full list of tour dates and ticket info as it becomes available, visit www.jasonaldean.com, www.ticketmaster.com or www.livenation.com.

"The Grateful Dead Movie" Debuts On Blu-ray November 1

2011-10-23T16:25:00.000-04:00

The Grateful Dead Movie will see its first-ever Blu-ray release on November 1, when Shout! Factory releases a deluxe 2-disc version, with the feature film on Blu-ray and a DVD loaded with an extensive slate of bonus features.

Co-directed by Jerry Garcia, The Grateful Dead Movie was originally released in 1977, and captures performances from five October 1974 shows at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom. In an essay accompanying the Blu-ray, Dennis McNally, Grateful Dead biographer and the former publicist for the band, writes "when the Dead concluded that their epic achievement in sound design, the Wall of Sound, was a fabulous albatross threatening to destroy them, and that a substantial break would follow five mid-October 1974 shows at Winterland, and Who Knew?—maybe these really were The Last Shows—it was the most logical thing in the world for Jerry to hire a film crew and have a movie to make during the hiatus in Dead touring. Like most Dead projects, The Grateful Dead Movie was substantially improvised and required massive amounts of really peculiar synchronicity to work—and somehow came out great in the end."

Disc 1 of The Grateful Dead Movie features the film in its entirety on Blu-ray, transferred from the original 35mm film negative in High Definition and presented in 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio. The performances include Dead classics such as "Truckin'," "Sugar Magnolia," and "Casey Jones."

Disc 2 is a DVD containing more than 95 minutes of bonus concert footage, including "Uncle John's Band," "Sugaree," "The Other One‚" "Spanish Jam‚" "Mind Left Body Jam‚" "Scarlet Begonias," "China Cat Sunflower‚" "I Know You Rider," "Dark Star," and "Weather Report Suite." Also included in the bonus features are the option for visible lyrics, a feature-length commentary with supervising editor Susan Crutcher and film editor John Nutt, the documentary films "A Look Back," "Making of the Animated Sequence," and "Making of the DVD," the television commercial for the Mars Hotelalbum from 1974, multicamera and multitrack audio demonstrations, and an extensive photo gallery of production notes, photos, film stills and other historical items from the Movie's production.

Additionally, viewers can choose which sound mix they want, including a 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio presentation of the original theatrical audio mix, a DTS 5.1 audio mix, mixed from the master multitrack tapes, or the PCM 2.0 audio mix, all from the master multitrack tapes. The bonus songs were transferred from the 16mm camera-original film negative, with audio from the master multitrack tapes offered in both a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio mix or Dolby Digital 2.0 audio mix.

The legendary Grateful Dead Movie is known for its remarkably intimate look at the band and the Deadhead scene of the time. Now fans can enjoy the film in high definition as never before.

Fans who preorder The Grateful Dead Movie directly from Shout! Factory will receive an exclusive bumper sticker with their order, while supplies last. Additionally, it will ship on October 18, two weeks before being available in stores. For more info, visit: www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=5257509

The Grateful Dead Movie is the first in a line of Grateful Dead films slated for release by Shout! Factory in collaboration with Rhino Entertainment. Future releases will include The Closing Of Winterland, Dead Ahead, Truckin' Up To Buffalo, Ticket To New Year's, Downhill From Here, View From The Vault, View From The Vault Vol. 2, View From The Vault Vol. 3, View From The Vault Vol. 4 and So Far, a 1987 film that has previously only been available on VHS and laserdisc.

Chapter Indexes

1. Animation

2. U.S. Blues

3. One More Saturday Night

4. Bill Graham's Crew Introduction

5. Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad

6. Soundcheck

7. Truckin'

8. Eyes Of The World

9. Ripped Off Fan

10. Sugar Magnolia

11. It's Like A Continuous Trip

12. Intermission

13. Playing In The Band

14. Levy Gets In

15. Stella Blue

16. Casey Jones

17. The Om People

18. Weirdness From He's Gone

19. Morning Dew

20. Encore Break

21. Johnny B. Goode

22. It Must Have Been The Roses/End Credits

Bonus Songs

Uncle John's Band

Sugaree

The Other One

Spanish Jam

Mind Left Body Jam

The Other One

Scarlet Begonias

China Cat Sunflower

I Know You Rider

Dark Star

Weather Report Suite

About Shout! Factory

Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory's DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company's audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY^®-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable "best of" compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. With its fingers on the pulse of pop culture, Shout! Factory continues to impact the entertainment media landscape through acquisition of top quality programming for home entertainment releases. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Brandon Schott "13 Satellites"

2011-10-05T16:37:00.000-04:00

Los Angeles based singer/songwriter Brandon Schott returns with his most vibrant and playful collection of songs to date,

"13 Satellites" on October 25th. We would welcome the opportunity to have you review/feature this exciting new release.

Digital album download link: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1238818950/0de59e84ce2bc0dc7fdaf5c2ed198d24

More on Brandon Schott:

http://www.brandonschott.com/

We look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Best,

Sera Roadnight
M T Press

Los Angeles based singer/songwriter Brandon Schott returns with his 4th record, "13 Satellites" on October 25th. After the quiet catharsis that was his 2009's post cancer reflection DANDELION, Brandon celebrates life with his most vibrant and playful collection of songs to date. Brandon, originally from Northern Virginia, has been named one of Music Connections Hot 100 Artists four years in a row. Additionally, his song "Fire Season" won Best Song in the Acoustic/Folk category at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards.

"13 SATELLITES" was born as a cross-continental collaboration with drummer Billy Hawn during the spring of 2010 - and also features tracks flown in from Portland, OR, Manchester, NH, and the not-quite-as-far-away Burbank, CA where Schott's longtime collaborator Jason Wormer (Steve Earle, Elton John & Leon Russell, Elvis Costello & T-Bone Burnett) mixed and mastered the record into a warm, deep groove. "A true Satellite project, for sure", states Schott.

The songs on "13 Satellites" reflect a new beginning, both in life and in art. The record is "a celebration of all we had gone through as a family, and a childlike wonder at all that was to come," Brandon says. This wide-eyed spirit shines through these 13 songs, from the whimsical free fall that is the first single "Satellite", to the eastern spirituality of "Flowers Fading", to the piano romp that is "Exploding Angel". The sound of the late Beatles is apparent throughout the record vocally and tonally, not to mention it's whimsical enigmatic feel. This is the first of Brandon's records to be purely recorded and self-produced at his home studio in Glendale.

Brandon has already gained some early coverage on his new album. WXPN, a prominent radio station, recently picked up his single "satellite" off the album. Armed with a passel of breathtaking songs, Schott has got the goods to make it big in these musically perilous times.

"13 Satellites" will be released October 25th simultaneously with an animated Monty-Pythonesque music video for the song "Satellite".

Jess Franklin Trio 4 18 9 LONG HAIRED COUNTRY BOY

2011-09-23T17:17:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite performers, serving up on of my favorite songs. A wonderful birthday-eve gift for Fred...

Tony Lucca's "Under The Influence" Recalls Past Hits

2011-09-11T10:19:00.001-04:00

Tony Lucca will be releasing his covers album, Under The Influence, on September 27, 2011, via Rock Ridge Music. A 10-song compilation of tunes (see full track listing below) by artists that influenced Lucca as a musician and songwriter, the album was produced by Mike Vizcarra (Brian Wright, Ladies Gun Club, Truth & Salvage Co.). Under The Influence is the next entry in Lucca's catalogue and follows on the heels of 2010's Rendezvous With The Angels.

Says Lucca of his latest musical undertaking: "Under The Influence was originally going to be called Wish List, consisting of songs I wish I had written. These, of course, would have been songs I've spent the last 20 or so years learning and playing for people. However, when it came time to make the record, I realized that what I could stand to benefit from more would be something a bit less conventional, maybe say, a little less predictable. After some great discussions with my producer Mike Vizcarra and our friend Brian Wright, we decided to dig a little deeper, come up with a set of songs that might pay a greater 'homage,' songs that could possibly reflect a deeper sense of well, influence."

After appearing on the "Mickey Mouse Club" for six years in the early '90s, Lucca went the Internet route and sold his first two independent releases, his debut So Satisfied (1997) and the follow-up Strong Words, Softly Spoken (1999), through his own website. His first commercially distributed album, Shotgun, arrived in 2004. It was succeeded by his Rock Ridge Music debut Canyon Songs (2006), Come Around Again (2008), and the aforementioned Rendezvous With The Angels (2010). His songs have been featured on TV's "Friday Night Lights," "Brothers & Sisters," "Shark," and "Felicity" and in Kevin Costner's feature "Open Range." He has been seen on E! Entertainment Television and A&E, and performed numerous times on NBC's "Last Call With Carson Daly."

Over the course of his career, Lucca has shared stages with *Nsync, Marc Anthony, Macy Gray, Johnny Lang, the late Chris Whitley, Sara Bareilles, and Tyrone Wells. Lucca has also completed several cooperative tours with Jay Nash and Matt Duke (which resulted in TFDI, a collaborative EP recorded at SPACE in Evanston, Illinois, and released by Rykodisc in late 2009, and When I Stop Running, a full-length album by the trio that was released by Rock Ridge Music in the summer of 2011).

Under The Influence Track Listing:

Find The Cost Of Freedom (Crosby, Stills & Nash)
State Trooper (Bruce Springsteen)
Dirty Work (Steely Dan)
Grandma's Hands (Bill Withers)
That's The Way (Led Zeppelin)
You Got Lucky (Tom Petty)
Baby Driver (Simon & Garfunkel)
Waiting On A Friend (Rolling Stones)
Angel (Jimi Hendrix)
Dirt Floor (Chris Whitley)

Under The Influence Song-By-Song, by Tony Lucca:

"Find The Cost of Freedom" (Crosby, Stills & Nash) - "Find The Cost of Freedom" is one of the most poignant songs ever crafted by one of my earliest influences, Crosby, Stills and Nash. The weight of the lyric, matched only by the strength of their signature harmonic structure, left an indelible mark on my early years of music appreciation/understanding.

"State Trooper" (Bruce Springsteen) - I never knew I was a Bruce Springsteen fan until I heard the record "Nebraska." "State Trooper" hit me from the very first listen and the imagery stayed with me ever since. Again, Bruce might not have been someone I would think to cover but I can say without reservation that my songwriting improved immensely after hearing this song.

"Dirty Work" (Steely Dan) - I'm a huge Steely Dan fan and have always considered Donald Fagan a strong lyrical influence. Trying to find something by them to cover for this project was somewhat of a challenge because most of their work falls outside my personal musical vocabulary. However, "Dirty Work," aside from being the only Steely Dan song NOT sung by Fagan (and ironically their only #1 hit, I believe) had a familiar sense of melancholy to it that I thought might lend itself well to the project. Ultimately, we left no trace of the melancholy on this cover but rather created what I feel to be the stand-out, feel-good track of the record.

"Grandma's Hands" (Bill Withers) - "Grandma's Hands" is not only one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite vocal influences, but it also reflects my love and reverence for one of my greatest influences ever, my Grandma, Eunice Stevenson. She was the mother of 12 music-making children and had a voice every bit as compelling as Sarah Vaughan's. Her spirit has been an inherent element in my career from the very beginning.

"That's The Way" (Led Zeppelin) - "That's The Way" has always been one of my favorite Zeppelin songs. There was always something so contemplative about Robert Plant's tone in that recording that it almost begs you to examine the meaning of the lyric. There are so many layers to it. Of course, it's almost sacrilege to attempt to out-rock Zeppelin, so we were content to tackle something more on the acoustic side of their catalogue.

"You Got Lucky" (Tom Petty) - One of the cooler things about growing up in Generation X was that I can fully recall the advent of MTV. The songs and videos that were introduced to the world at that time were some of the most ground-breaking works in music history, and remain so today. When I saw Mike Campbell reach for that hollow-body Gretsch in Tom Petty's "You Got Lucky" video, I swore someday I would have that very guitar and maybe even be half as cool as Mike Campbell when I played it. I've yet to acquire that guitar but we did take an honest stab at the song from which the dream was born.

"Baby Driver" (Simon & Garfunkel) - I would say that of all the great lyricists of the past four or five decades, no one has had as strong an impact on me as Paul Simon. I knew I wanted to cover something by him (and possibly Art Garfunkel) but was excited to find something a bit more obscure. Brian Wright actually brought "Baby Driver" to the project and I knew we'd have a lot of fun recording it.

"Waiting On A Friend" (Rolling Stones) - "Waiting On A Friend" always struck me as the coolest dude's anthem. Mick Jagger has a great way of painting contrast, and this song really reflects that. Again, this was one of those early-on MTV images that never slipped away from my memory. I love how the video starts off with Mick out on the stoop with Peter Tosh, in front of the same brownstone that was photographed on the cover of Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti." Lotta rock-n-roll trivia in there.

"Angel" (Jimi Hendrix) - "Angel" was the ideal duo for this record: me singing to Mike's raw solo electric accompaniment. I have always been amazed at how vulnerable Jimi allowed himself to be. His lyrics are so vivid and otherwordly, of course to say nothing of his earth-shattering guitar work. Putting a Jimi Handrix cover on the record is an honor I could never take lightly.

"Dirt Floor" (Chris Whitley) - It took me some time to fully appreciate the work of Chris Whitley. However, it took only a couple listens to his Dirt Floor record before I started stealing little things here and there. I've always been a fan of alternate guitar tunings and Chris seemed to have taken this to a whole other level, not to mention his almost crooner-like melodic sense, featured prominently here in this a cappella version of the title track.

Marissa Nadler Collaborates with Cloud Seeding On "Ink Jar"

2011-09-10T16:51:00.000-04:00

Boston-based songstress Marissa Nadler and NY collaborative project Cloud Seeding have released a brand new video for the track "Ink Jar," as Nadler prepares for a set of North American dates with James Vincent McMorrow and a European fall tour. Spearheaded by Brooklyn-based guitarist Kevin Serra (This Ascension, Lot 49), Cloud Seeding is a music singles project conceived as a space of collaboration to showcase vocalists he admires. Nadler is the first vocalist to team up with Serra, penning the vocals for this song.Directed by Christopher Arcella, the video features actors Ray Lorini and Vera Arcella on a cosmic love journey and can be watched at YouTube or Vimeo.

After releasing several albums with Kemado (and having one of her songs inspire the name for vinyl start-up Mexican Summer), Nadler ventured out independently for her critically acclaimed self-titled album, which has been featured on NPR "World Cafe: Next," NPR First Listen, Vogue, KEXP, Pitchfork 'Overlooked Records of 2011' with an 8.1 album review, and as one of SPIN's "5 Best New Artists for June," among others.

Marissa Nadler On Tour

09/09 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom*

09/10 - Boston, MA - Bright Music Hall*

09/11 - Montreal, QC, Canada - La Sala Rossa*

09/13 - Toronto, ON, Canada - Elmo

09/15 - Chicago, IL - Hideout Inn*

09/16 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall*

09/17 - Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Center*
09/23 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live w/ Sharon Van Etten

10/04 - London, United Kingdom- Bush Hall

10/06 - Berlin, Germany - Comet

10/07 - Hamburg, Germany - Uebel & Gefährlich/Turmzimmer

10/08 - Copenhagen, Denmark- Pumpehuset

10/09 - Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser

10/10 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Hendriksberg

10/11 - Oslo, Norway - Revolver
10/12 - Bergen, Norway - Perfect Sounds Forever

10/14 - Tampere, Finland - Klubi

10/15 - Turku, Finland - Dynamo

10/16 - Helsinki, Finald - Kuudes Linja

*with James Vincent McMorrow

Primus to Stream "Green Naugahyde" on South Park Facebook Page

2011-09-10T14:07:00.000-04:00

Primus is pleased to announce that Green Naugahyde, its first studio album in 11 years, is now streaming exclusively on South Park's Facebook page, a week before release on September 13 on ATO Records/Prawn Songs. Primus has a longstanding history with South Park, having written and recorded the Comedy Central show's theme song over 10 years ago. The album stream, which will be available for two weeks, is part of South Park's "Year of the Fan" promotion.

On August 30, 750 copies of Green Naugahyde were released in a batch of limited edition vinyl, available in independent record stores. The rubber-stamped and hand-numbered double LPs were pressed on green vinyl and featured a white sleeve.

Primus will also be heading out on a fall tour later this month. An Evening with Primus, featuring two full sets, begins on September 23rd in Boston, makes its way west, and ends on October 29th as part of the Oddity Faire at the Greek Theatre in Berkley, CA. Tickets are currently on sale.

Green Naugahyde was produced and engineered by Les Claypool in his personal studio, Rancho Relaxo, in Northern California, and features Claypool, long-time guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummer Jay Lane. Lane was in an early lineup of the band, and was also in Sausage, a 1994 reunion of the 1988 Primus lineup. Green Naugahyde expands on Primus' incomparable sound and also sees them bringing it into the next millennium. It is a cerebral and complex album that, like all of the band's output, is teeming with the band's signature blend of whimsy and underlying darkness.

For the past 27 years, Primus have followed in the footsteps of boundary-pushing artists like Frank Zappa and Pink Floyd to create some of the most original and inventive music in existence.Green Naugahyde is a Primus record with all of the magic and mystery that phrase entails-and while no one can say for sure what the future will hold in store for the band, the most important thing is that the album exists and will inevitably hold its own in the band's impressive cannon of music.

Primus Fall Tour Dates:

9/23 - The Orpheum - Boston, MA

9/24 - The Fillmore - Silver Spring, MD

9/26 - The National - Richmond, VA

9/27 - Palace Theatre - Albany, NY

9/30 - Roseland Ballroom - New York, NY

10/1 - Tower Theatre - Upper Darby, PA

10/2 - State Theatre - Portland, ME

10/4 - Metropolis - Monteal, QE

10/5 - Massey Hall - Toronto, ON

10/7 - Stage AE - Pittsburgh, PA

10/8 - Main Street Armory - Rochester, NY

10/10 - Louisville Palace - Louisville, KY

10/11 - Michigan Theater - Ann Arbor, MI

10/13 - Orpheum Theater - Madison, WI

10/14 - The Congress - Chicago, IL

10/15 - Val Air Ballroom - Des Moines, IA

10/17 - Ogden - Denver, CO

10/18 - Ogden - Denver, CO

10/20 - Mesa Amphitheater - Mesa, AZ

10/21 - Arlington Theatre - Santa Barbara, CA

10/22 - The Wiltern - Los Angeles, CA

10/29 - The Greek Theatre - Berkley, CA

Noah and the Whale announce Fall tour dates

2011-09-10T10:07:00.000-04:00

The London band Noah and the Whale are pleased to announce new Fall North American tour dates for November, including stops in the United States, Canada, and Mexico . The tour will include stops at major markets including Philadelphia, Boston, and San Francisco, as well as two straight nights at Chicago's Lincoln Hall. Tickets for the tour will go on sale this Friday, September 9. A complete list of tour dates can be found below.

Playing at this year's Lollapalooza, the band found their set to be a huge success, with Time Out Chicago singing the band's praises, noting "Noah and the Whale has moved far beyond the folk-centric sound of its debut Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down, which paved the way for bands like Mumford & Sons, and here the combo synth/acoustic sound world sounded positively brilliant on tunes like "Just Before We Met." Others, like "Blue Skies," abounding in introspection and pathos, translated effectively even under the midday sun. Bands may be at the mercy of their assigned time of day, but Noah and the Whale proved once again that great music is, quite simply, great music."

This tour is part of continued support following the 2011 release of the band's third album, Last Night On Earth. The album was released on March 15^th via Mercury/Island Def Jam. The first single from Last Night On Earth, "L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N."has an accompanying music video which you can watch HERE . You can also watch the band's impressive in-studio live performance of new song "Give It All Back" HERE.

The band recently premiered Yuksek's remix of "Life Is Life," which is available for free download via SoundCloud. GottaDanceDirty.com says the remix is "smiles and sun all around" and we couldn't agree more. Listen to Yuksek's fantastic remix and then check out the most recent music video for the album version of the single.

"Life Is Life" (Yuksek Remix) via SoundCloud

(approved to post)

"Life Is Life" music video

You can purchase Last Night On Earth at Amazon and iTunes.

Noah and the Whale Tour Dates:

Nov 05 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club

Nov 06 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre Of Living Arts

Nov 08 Toronto, ONT @ Phoenix Theatre

Nov 09 Grand Rapids, MI @ Calvin College

Nov 11 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall

Nov 12 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall

Nov 13 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall

Nov 14 Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave Nightclub

Nov 17 Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre

Nov 18 Vancouver, BC @ Venue ??????

Nov 19 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom

Nov 21 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall

Nov 22 Anaheim, CA @ House Of Blues

Nov 24 Monterrey, MEX Escenica

Nov 25 Guadalajara, MEX Teatro Diana

Nov 26 Mexico City, MEX Plaza Condesa

www.NoahAndTheWhale.com

Glen Campbell's "Ghost on the Canvas" Has Stellar Chart Debut

2011-09-09T17:00:00.000-04:00

Glen Campbell has made an impressive chart debut with his remarkable new Surfdog Records release, Ghost On The Canvas. The album - which marks the iconic singer/guitarist/songwriter's final studio recording - entered the SoundScan/Billboard 200 at #23.

In the UK, Ghost On The Canvas entered the chart at #27 - the highest charting debut album in the UK. All told, the multiple Grammy Award-winner has charted 13 albums in the UK in just over four decades, reaching #1 with the 1976 compilation, Twenty Golden Greats. What's more, the success of Ghost On The Canvas marks the 75-year-old Campbell as one of the oldest artists ever to chart an album of new recordings, placing him alongside such icons as legendary bluesman John Lee Hooker and famed composer/bandleader James Last.

In addition to its popular success, Ghost On The Canvas has been greeted with unprecedented critical acclamation from all corners. USA Today declared the album to be "a museum-quality masterpiece," further extolling it as "not simply a coda to an impressive career but also the sort of artistic swan song that might receive serious consideration for album of the year come Grammy Awards time." The Boston Globe called the album "gorgeous and charming," while Pitchfork noted that "Campbell conveys a certain nostalgia for that defining sound of his prime...His voice remains strong enough that he doesn't need your pity to put these songs across."

In its four-starred review, American Songwriter observed "Glen's voice has barely lost a shade along the way...With the right material, this man as an artist has few flaws." "Campbell is in near-top vocal form," declared the Washington Post, while the L.A. Times hailed the album as "polished and full-bodied, with frequent echoes of Campbell's old countrypolitan hits." The years have added an edge to his singing," said Rolling Stone, noting "Dude's definitely not going out softly."

The A.V. Club praised Ghost On The Canvas as "emotionally hefty," with its "touching rendition" of Guided By Voices' "Hold On Hope" singled out as a "real highlight." The Wall Street Journal suggested "with his talent intact, and his seemingly native ability to appeal to pop and country audiences at the same time, the new album may find new fans for the 75 year old (Campbell)." The New York Daily News' Jim Farber waxed rhapsodic, suggesting that Campbell "has given his fans a final portrait of himself so vivid it feels like his prime." Perhaps The Village Voice summed it up best: Ghost On The Canvas is "maybe the finest album (Campbell's) ever made."

Ghost On The Canvas has met with similar acclaim across the Atlantic, where The Telegraphapplauded the album's title track for possessing "the spacious, yearning quality of 'Wichita Lineman,' and sounds like Campbell's last classic. Superb." The Independent's Andy Gill commended the album's "profound valedictory tone" while BBC Music declared the collection to be "the real deal, musical and emotionally true and sometimes devastating, on a par with (Johnny) Cash's performance on 'Hurt.'" "His voice is rich and clear," acclaimed The Guardian, "the songs intimate reflections on his 75 years." Uncutawarded the album four-out-of-five stars, applauding Campbell's "majestic storytelling" and "soaring vocal(s)." Mojo praised the album as an "ambitious attempt at telling a life's story via new compositions, choice covers, and instrumental interludes," noting "the man's glorious undiminished tones, particularly his reckoning with the hereafter on 'A Better Place.'"

As if all that weren't enough, the Associated Press hailed a recent Campbell concert in Biloxi, Mississippi - his first live date since announcing his illness - as no less than "a triumph," noting that "the 75-year-old Campbell brought the crowd to its feet after acing the delicate runs in the middle of his classic 'Wichita Lineman.'"

Campbell - who recently discussed the album, as well as his recent diagnoses of early stages of Alzheimer's Disease, in an exclusive interview with ABC News' Terry Moran - will herald Ghost On The Canvas with a series of live TV performances, including NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on September 12^th and ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 19^th. You can also watch Campbell's interview on PBS's The Tavis Smiley Show tonight, check your local listings for show times.

Furthermore, Campbell will celebrate the new album - as well as his extraordinary five-decade-plus career - with a valedictory concert tour, dubbed "The Glen Campbell Goodbye Tour." Among the highlights is a hugely anticipated show at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre, set for October 6^th. Campbell will then travel to Ireland and the UK for a major series of dates, including an October 22^nd concert at London's Royal Festival Hall. A slate of additional shows will be announced.

* * * * *

Ghost On The Canvas sees Campbell capping his brilliant career with one of his moving and energized works to date, a powerfully emotional song cycle that sees him accompanied by a truly dazzling line-up of songwriters and musicians. Among the tunesmiths contributing original songs to the collection are such modern luminaries as Paul Westerberg, Jakob Dylan, Robert Pollard, and Teddy Thompson, backed by a roster of players that includes Chris Isaak, Dick Dale, Billy Corgan, Brian Setzer, Rick Nielsen, Roger Manning, and The Dandy Warhols. The album is produced by Julian Raymond, who also co-wrote a number of new songs with Campbell.

The acclaimed collection is also being offered in a number of limited edition deluxe packages, featuring such exciting extras as an exclusive lithograph, a vinyl pressing, lyrics, rare photos, and five bonus tracks including versions of some of Campbell's greatest hits as performed on his classic TV show,The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. What's more, an extremely limited number of lithograph editions hand-signed by Campbell himself are currently available. Please see http://surfdog.com/glencampbellshow/index.html for full details and ordering information.

Moody Bluegrass II Featuring Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush and More

2011-09-09T15:35:00.001-04:00

Following 2004's critically and commercially acclaimed tribute to the legendary Moody Blues, Moody Bluegrass, along with the highly successful Moody Bluegrass Live, Nashville's finest came together again to honor the Moody Blues with Moody Bluegrass Two…Much Love available now at iTunes. Since it's release this summer the Moody Bluegrass sequel has received praise from critics:

"...it's nice to see this ultra-talented group of musicians step away from genre conventions to produce something wonderful." - Elmore

"On this outing the results are more stylistically unified..." – Country Weekly

"…as on the first volume cleverly parlays prog-rock into prog- string band." – No Depression

"If you are a fan of the Moody Blues or bluegrass, you'll find plenty to like on MB2…it proves something worth doing once is worth doing twice." - Vintage Guitar

"The 16 tracks on this CD are all executed with precision." – Americana Gazette

"We have had so many cover versions of our songs over the years, but none have stood out like Moody Bluegrass. Nashville's most outstanding musicians have once again brought a new dimension to our songs, " said Ray Thomas, co-founder of the Moody Blues.

Producer David Harvey returns for this second volume, which perfectly blends the brilliant songwriting of the Moody Blues with the bluegrass sounds of mandolins, banjos and even clogging. The collection of bluegrass covers includes Moody Blues members Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge, as well as band co-founders Mike Pinder and Ray Thomas and a wide assortment of Music City's finest including Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush and more.

The record spans the entire Moody Blues catalogue, and includes fan favorites such as "Tuesday Afternoon" and "I Know You're Out There." Moody Bluegrass Twotranslates the Moody Blues' original songs seamlessly and much like the first bluegrass tribute, the beauty of the original Moody Blues music shines.

Moody Bluegrass Two also features the talents of Tim O'Brien, Harley Allen, Peter Rowan, Jan Harvey, Ronnie Bowman, Emma Harvey, Larry Cordle, John Cowan, Jon Randall, David Harvey, Tim May, Andy Hall and Andy Todd.

For more information visit www.moodybluegrass.com.

Game's "The R.E.D. Album" debuts at #1 on Billboard 200

2011-09-09T14:04:00.000-04:00

With 97,528 copies sold since it was released on August 23rd, Game's fourth studio project The R.E.D. Album dethroned Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne as the #1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. The R.E.D. Album (short for REDedication) is Game's third chart topping debut following 2005's The Documentary and 2007's Doctor's Advocate which both went on to sell millions of copies worldwide. Game's last album, LAX, started at #2 in 2008 and went on to gold certification.

"It feels amazing to be back on top," exclaims Game. "My fans are incredibly loyal. I was able to step away from music for some much needed personal time with my family. And now that I've returned with a new album, they've come out strong to support me. I wouldn't be where I am today without my fans. Period."

The official lead single "Pot of Gold," featuring Chris Brown, charted on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and soared at urban radio. The music video, shot on location in downtown Los Angeles, reached more than 2 million views just days after its VEVO debut.

The album is executive produced by Pharrell Williams and co-executive produced by Game and producer extraordinaire Mars of 1500 or Nothin'. It also features legendary producers Dr. Dre and DJ Premier and established south region stunners Big Boi, Young Jeezy and Rick Ross, complimenting Game's west coast collaborations with Snoop Dogg, E-40 and newcomers Kendrick Lamar and Odd Future's Tyler the Creator. Drake and Nelly Furtado round out the heavy hitting features. The Compton-bred MC delivers the type of Hip-Hop unification album we have come to expect in a classic.

Fans have eagerly waited for a Game and Dr. Dre reunion in the studio. "Drug Test" showcases Game straight west coastin' alongside his gangsta' rap mentor Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, over a speaker rattling Dr. Dre production that reminds listeners of the three G's collective California chemistry.

Game created a viral buzz for The R.E.D. Album with "Red Nation" which featured long time collaborator Lil Wayne. After being banned from BET and MTV networks, the "Red Nation" music video, debuted on VEVO debut and went on to garner more than 9.4 million views. MTV has since included the music video in rotation due to its high demand.

Second Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Announced - Begins Oct 26th

2011-09-09T10:06:00.000-04:00

Monster Energy and Idol Roc have announced the line-up and itinerary for the 2011 Monster Energy Outbreak Tour. Headliner Of Mice & Men will be joined by direct support act Iwrestledabearonce, I See Stars, That's Outrageous! on the entire run. Abandon All Ships and For The Fallen Dreams will join the bill for half of the dates each. Tour Producer Steve Glazer (Idol Roc Entertainment) shared, "The Monster Energy OUTBREAK Tour returns this Fall to once again provide a premium touring platform that showcases the best new talent in Rock. Staying true to the inaugural trek, we've paired emerging talent with an affordable ticket to give fans the value and opportunity to discover the rock stars of tomorrow."

From the origination of the Hardcore movement in the late 1970's through today, the scene has been fueled by independent labels and the underground. The genre's impact on metalcore, grunge, thrash, metal, emo, post-hardcore and other evolutions in sounds in indisputable. The structure of songwriting forever changed, dispelling the notion that repertoire needed to fall within the rigid confines of traditional verse-chorus rock. This package recalls the days of community bills where artists come together and create a collective event with the audience on hand, much like the matinees of the past. The future of the movement is defined by these bands and others, continuing to build upon the legacy created by Black Flag, Circle Jerks, the Dead Kennedy's and countless others. Of Mice & Men vocalist Austin Carlile and drummer Valentino Arteaga collectively shared, "We're very happy to announce Of Mice & Men headlining the Monster Energy Outbreak tour! We couldn't be more excited to team up with such a phenomenal company and lineup of bands as well! We think this tour will be much more of an experience rather than just coming out to another show, so do not miss this tour!" Iwrestledabearonce vocalist Krysta Cameron shared, "We are looking forward to hitting the road this fall to support our Friends in Of Mice & Men on the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour, and to promote our latest release Ruining it for Everybody. This should be yet another exciting tour for us! We'll be seein' y'all Bear Brats soon! Don't forget to bring a jacket!"

The itinerary includes appearances in:

10-26 San Francisco, CA Regency Ballroom

10-27 Ventura, CA Majestic Ventura Theater

10-28 Pomona, CA Glasshouse

10-29 Bakersfield, CA Dome

10-30 Sacramento, CA Ace of Spades

11-01 Portland, OR Hawthorne

11-02 Seattle, WA El Corazon

11-04 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue

11-05 Denver, CO Summit

11-07 Austin, TX Emos East

11-08 Tulsa, OK Cains

11-09 Houston, TX Warehouse

11-11 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Rocketown

11-12 Tampa, FL Orpheum

11-13 Orlando, FL Firestone

11-15 Atlanta, GA Masquerade

11-16 Raleigh, NC Lincoln Theater

11-17 Richmond, VA Canal Club

11-18 Lancaster, PA Chameleon

11-19 Albany, NY Northern Lights

11-20 Buffalo, NY Xtreme Wheels

11-22 Cleveland, OH Peabodys

11-23 Grand Rapids, MI Intersection

11-25 Sauget, IL Pops

11-26 Detroit, MI St. Andrews

11-27 Cincinnati, OH Bogarts

11-29 Pittsburgh, PA Altar Bar

Note:

For The Fallen Dreams will appear on all dates from 10/26 - 11/9

Abandon All Ships will appear on all dates from 11/11 - 11/29

Foreigner Create 'No Limits' Theme Song For Texas Motor Speedway With 'Hot Blooded' Remix

2011-09-08T13:10:00.000-04:00

rock legends FOReiGNER CREATE 'NO LIMITS' THEME SONG FOR TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY WITH 'HOT BLOODED' REMIX

Remix of Foreigner Hit Song To Become Focal Point Of Speedway's "No Limits" Marketing Campaign

Free Song, Ring Tone Downloads Available At www.texasmotorspeedway.com

Foreigner Also To Release New Three-Disc Set, Feels Like The First Time, on Sept. 13

Dallas, TX - There truly are "No Limits" to the relationship between legendary rock-n-roll band Foreigner and Texas Motor Speedway.

Foreigner and Texas Motor Speedway collaborated on a remix of the band's hit song, "Hot Blooded," that incorporates lyrics supporting the speedway's "No Limits" marketing campaign and NASCAR racing in general. The song, which will be known as "Hot Blooded-No Limits," was unveiled to a throng of fans and special guests Tuesday evening during Texas Motor Speedway's 2012 Schedule Announcement Party at Gilley's Dallas. A free download of the song is available at www.texasmotorspeedway.com

Texas Motor Speedway plans to feature the remix of the chart-topping hit in its 2012 television and radio event advertising; position it as the theme song for race weekends and special events; offer downloads and ringtones of the song to its fans; and engage in further discussions with the band on additional ideas to utilize the speedway-specific anthem. Foreigner has pledged to donate royalties from the song in continuing support of Speedway Children's Charities for whom the band has raised thousands of dollars as part of its NASCAR relationship.

"A couple of years ago we introduced one of the most legendary rock-n-roll bands of all time, Foreigner, to NASCAR and they fell in love with the sport and the 'No Limits' attitude at Texas Motor Speedway," Gossage said. "Now we have entered into a unique creative arrangement with their legendary leader Mick Jones, lead singer Kelly Hansen and the guys in the band. They have rewritten one of the classic rock songs of all time. 'Hot Blooded' is now 'Hot Blooded - No Limits.' Who would have thought - Foreigner, No Limits, Texas Motor Speedway - all together. They just cut the song in the studio and it's hot for race fans. It's been cool to work with them on the project."

"Whether we are watching the race from our friend (and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver) Carl Edwards' pit or playing our set for the fans on the start/finish line, the thrill of a Texas Motor Speedway event is a real rush," said Foreigner's leader and founder Mick Jones, who performed with the band for a NASCAR pre-race show at Texas Motor Speedway in April 2009. "It truly is Hot Blooded - No Limits."

The 4-minute, 10-second song opens as the traditional "Hot Blooded" smash hit, but at the 1-minute, 15-second segment lead singer Kelly Hansen begins the "No Limits" verses.

Now it's up to you, we can make a secret rendezvous Just me and you, I'll show you racin' like you never knew

Now there's No Limits, check it and see

Hear my engine running one ninety three

Come on baby, why don't you take a chance?

It's No Limits, No Limits

If it feel alright, maybe we can race all night

Shall I leave you my key?

But you've got to give me a sign, come on now, some kind of sign Tell me, should we start revving? Yeah that flag looks green to me

Now it's up to you - fender grindin' is what we're gonna do

If your timing is right you can see the checkered flag tonight

Now there's No Limits, check it and see

Hear my engine turning one ninety three

Come on maybe you'll be lucky tonight

It's No Limits, No Limits

Hansen then closes the song with a shout-out to NASCAR legend Richard Petty with the verse of "Richard Petty is King. Yeah, this racin' is my thing."

"Hot Blooded" was released as a single in July 1978 and reached a high of No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart by September. The single, from the seven-time Platinum album "Double Vision," was certified Platinum (one million units sold) by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Texas Motor Speedway is allowing fans the opportunity to download the song for free for 24 hours beginning this evening on www.texasmotorspeedway.com

To coincide with the release of Foreigner's new album Feels Like The First Time, "Hot Blooded-No Limits" will soon become available at iTunes where charges are applicable.

A free download of a special ring tone of "Hot Blooded-No Limits" will be available on the speedway website beginning this evening and throughout 2012. Fans will also be able to share the song from the speedway site with their friends through social networks Facebook and Twitter.

bRock legends Foreigner will release a new three-disc set, Feels Like The First Time, on Sept. 13 through Razor & Tie. The set includes two audio discs - CD One: Acoustique: The Classics Unplugged and CD Two: Juke Box Heroes: Brand New Digital Recordings of Foreigner's Greatest Hits and one live concert DVD: Live in Chicago. The three-disc set will be available exclusively at all Walmart stores and Walmart.com with additional digital configurations available on digital service providers (iTunes, Amazon, etc.). Foreigner is currently on tour with Journey and Night Ranger through October 2011.

More than 30 years after releasing their first multi-platinum album, Foreigner's music resonates globally across generations with album sales exceeding 70 million. An impressive run of 14 Top-20 hits includes worldwide number one hit "I Want To Know What Love Is," "Cold As Ice," "Double Vision," "Head Games," "Urgent," "Waiting For A Girl Like You" and video-game staples such as "Hot Blooded" and "Juke Box Hero." Foreigner's tours continue to electrify audiences and establish the group in its rightful place as one of the top touring attractions. Formed in 1976 by English rocker Mick Jones, the current lineup includes: Jones (lead guitar), Kelly Hansen (lead vocals/percussion), Jeff Pilson (bass guitar), Tom Gimbel (guitar/saxophone/flute), Michael Bluestein (keyboards), and Mark Schulman (drums).

For more Foreigner information, click here.

Lady Antebellum Set To "OWN THE NIGHT" With Release Week Plans!

2011-09-08T12:12:00.000-04:00

Six time GRAMMY winning group Lady Antebellum will release their third studio album OWN THE NIGHT next Tues., Sept. 13.

After spending more time writing and recording than ever before, Lady A will kick off their international release schedule in Green Bay, WI tomorrow for a pregame performance airing live on NBC, USA Network and NFL Network from the NFL's Kickoff 2011 (re-airs in primetime on Sept. 10 on NBC). The trio's schedule from there includes TV appearances on GAC's Backstory: Lady Antebellum (Sept. 11), a special 9/11 performance of the National Anthem on NBC before the Jets and Cowboys open their season at MetLife Stadium (Sept. 11), TODAY (Sept. 13), The Ellen DeGeneres Show (Sept. 16), The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (Sept. 16), CBS Sunday Morning (Sept. 25) and Saturday Night Live (Oct. 1).

Throughout release week, Lady A will host a select number of lucky fans at their "Own The Night: Unplugged"concert series in Chicago (Sept. 10), New York City (Sept. 13) and Los Angeles (Sept. 15). Lady A will also travel to Canada and Europe with more television appearances and fan events lined up over the course of the next month.

"We've literally been working towards these next few weeks all year," says Charles Kelley. "The anticipation of being able to FINALLY share these songs with our fans is killing us. Hopefully, those who have been with Lady A for a long time will see this as the next chapter for us as songwriters and performers; and the people who aren't as familiar with us will check it out and maybe find something on the album they dig. We're really just excited to get it out, and then kick off the new tour."

Fans can catch Lady Antebellum on the upcoming first leg of their headlining OWN THE NIGHT 2011 TOUR beginning on Nov. 11 in Knoxville, TN. Both the tour name and trio's upcoming album OWN THE NIGHT were inspired by their new second single, the anthemic "We Owned The Night." The album's record breaking lead single "Just A Kiss" recently spent multiple weeks at the top of radio charts in the U.S. and Canada. OWN THE NIGHT is the follow-up to the band's triple PLATINUM and GRAMMY winning second disc NEED YOU NOW.

For a full list of appearances and tour dates, visit www.ladyantebellum.com.

Tony Lucca to release "Under The Influence" in September

2011-09-08T11:15:00.000-04:00

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Tony Lucca will be releasing his covers album, Under The Influence, on September 27, 2011, via Rock Ridge Music. A 10-song compilation of tunes (see full track listing below) by artists that influenced Lucca as a musician and songwriter, the album was produced by Mike Vizcarra (Brian Wright, Ladies Gun Club, Truth & Salvage Co.). Under The Influence is the next entry in Lucca's catalogue and follows on the heels of 2010's Rendezvous With The Angels.

Under The Influence Track Listing:

Find The Cost Of Freedom (Crosby, Stills & Nash)
State Trooper (Bruce Springsteen)
Dirty Work (Steely Dan)
Grandma's Hands (Bill Withers)
That's The Way (Led Zeppelin)
You Got Lucky (Tom Petty)
Baby Driver (Simon & Garfunkel)
Waiting On A Friend (Rolling Stones)
Angel (Jimi Hendrix)
Dirt Floor (Chris Whitley)

Under The Influence Song-By-Song, by Tony Lucca:

Orianthi will be touring with Alice Cooper

2011-09-07T21:56:00.000-04:00

Aussie phenom Orianthi, who gained tremendous exposure when dubbed to be the guitarist on Michael Jackson's farewell tour, will now be touring with Alice Cooper. Here's how that came about:

* Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell had been playing with Thin Lizzy. He left to put his focus back on Def Leppard.
* Richard Fortus left Guns N Roses to fill Cambell's spot in Thin Lizzy.
* However, Fortus left Thin Lizzy to play with Guns N Roses again. GNR is apparently preparing for a US tour.
* So, Damon Johnson left Alice Cooper's band to join Thin Lizzy, and that opened up the slot that Orianthi is going to fill.

Orianthi is currently in the studio recording her new album. She confirmed the Alice Cooper news via Twitter.