Miles High Productions

JAZZ SAXOPHONIST HULON RELEASES SECOND CD “AFTER HOURS” SET FOR FEBRUARY 7 RELEASE DATE

2012-01-24T14:20:00.000-08:00

NEW CD FEATURES HOWARD HEWITT, GEOFF MCBRIDE AND NEW RADIO SINGLE, “DO YOU FEEL ME”

Los Angeles, CA – The urban jazz styling of Hulon has returned with his newest album, After Hours, releasing February 7^th and is available on iTunes and Hulon’s website (www.hulon.com).

After the success of his debut album, First Impressions, Hulon’s newest album, After Hours, has combined passion and confidence creating Hulon’s best tracks to date. Hulon’s debut album spent 15 weeks on the Billboard Jazz Chart, peaking at #25, and featured the single “Sax on the Beach” which reached #16 on the Smooth Jazz.com Top 50 Indie Chart, and was featured on the noted jazz website AllAboutJazz.com, in addition to receiving national and international airplay at terrestrial and online radio.

The new 11 track set includes a vocal and instrumental version of the 1977 Heatwave classic “Always and Forever” and eight originals penned by Kashiwa that play to Hulon’s strengths as a soulful balladeer and a grooving R&B/funk player, with a few dashes of cool and swinging traditional jazz in the mix. Highlights include the sensual late night romance “You’re Beautiful,” the whimsical mid tempo light funk tune “Takin’ My Time,” the tropical chill of “Sticky Trickuation,” the sly, Pink Panther-esque “Speak Easy” (featuring shuffling drum, bass and finger snap rhythm) and the high octane horn-driven jam and first single from the new release, “Do You Feel Me.”

Hulon has collaborated once again with mentor, composer, producer and fellow saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa. World renowned for his years with The Rippingtons, The Sax Pack and numerous hit solo albums over the past 20 years, Kashiwa again brought in some of contemporary jazz’s most powerful and dynamic players to take Hulon’s musical game on the new collection to the next level including Dave Hooper (drums), Allen Hinds (guitar), Melvin Davis (bass) and Bill Heller (keyboards) all of whom have played key roles on First Impressions.

Yet there’s lot more to Hulon’s dynamic emergence onto the urban jazz scene than simple chart stats and the support of some of the genre’s best players. At its heart, it’s the story of a musical dream long deferred and unique connections between the spiritual and emotional healing power of music and the physical healing that Dr. Hulon E. Crayton does as a rheumatologist and founder of The Arthritis and Infusion Center, which specializes in the treatment of Rheumatological diseases as well as sports related injuries. The title of one of the tracks on After Hours, the tropical flavored groove tune, “Second Opinion” is a playful ode to his longtime profession.

Official website: http://www.hulon.com

ME AND MY SHADOW SET TO RELEASE NEW CD “SUMMER CYCLE” ON JANUARY 24 2012

2012-01-19T15:22:00.000-08:00

PHILADELPHIA BASED MUSICIAN BRAD PODRAY EXPLORES THE

MANY MOODS OF THE ‘SUMMER CYCLE’ ON

HIS LATEST ELECTRONIC NEW AGE RECORDING

Summertime and the musical living is easy—well, most of the time on Summer Cycle, the dynamic full length follow-up to Winter Cycle, the 2010 solo piano EP by My Shadow and I, an electronic new age project created by multi-talented Philadelphia based musician Brad Podray.

Melodic, richly textured and film score lush, Summer Cycle is an eclectic ten track chronicle of the powerful transitions and emotional breakthroughs that come months after the heartbreaking but necessary end of a relationship. A natural extension of “Bliss (End of the Winter Cycle),” the final track of the otherwise stark earlier album, the new album is released on Podray’s independent label Nonexistent Recordings.

Summer Cycle’s overriding theme of emergence matches that of Podray’s increasing presence as a force in contemporary instrumental music after years of eclectic performing and recording experiences in numerous other genres—among them, industrial metal, “Pirate rap,” alt rock and down tempo trip hop. While the Florida born musician’s rock influences range from Meat Loaf to Nine Inch Nails, his chief inspirations for his solo piano and electronic/symphonic works are Brian Eno, Danny Elfman and famed new age pianist David Lanz, whose encouraging words about the Eno-influenced self titled My Shadow and I debut led Podray to further develop his vision in this genre.

Podray had his hands full academically and creatively when sat down at his keyboard in 2009 to create the first My Shadow and I project. Having just graduated from dental school at the University of Pennsylvania, his days were consumed with his orthodontic residency at Temple University in his adopted home town of Philadelphia. At night, he let loose in two very unique bands, the pirate rap group Captain Dan and the Scurvy Crew and the downtempo trip-hop ensemble Echo Slightly—both with his best friend from high school and longtime musical collaborator Daniel Dolan. Podray had recorded numerous albums with those and other groups over the past few years (18 in all!), and even released three projects by the indie band Finding Jupiter on his label. But looking ahead, he spent his rare down time creating music he could one day use to soothe patients when he launched his own practice as an orthodontist—which he did in late 2010.

By that time, he had independently released Winter Cycle, most of whose pieces were composed about the impending end and then the aftermath of a relationship. Its piano-heavy focus reflects what he calls a sad time in his life. While the piano is still a dominant melodic voice of Summer Cycle, the project’s deeper, more evolved production textures are one of the ways Podray creates a healing, optimistic counterpoint to the stark heartbreak of winter.

Even as Summer Cycle begins rolling out, Podray is working on another ambitious project under the name Maximalism—a concept he calls the more aggressive version of My Shadow and I, with high energy distorted guitars and even more synthesizers. His is a constantly flowing creative musical mind that has no boundaries or simple genres to get entangled in for long. “My Shadow and I and Maximalism are solo projects that show a different side of my personality,” he says. “One is calm yoga-type music while the other finds me going as crazy as I can get. With both projects, I love being able to fill a sonic space without having to figure out where to fit the words in.”

Official Website: http://www.myshadowandi.com

SINGER-SONGWRITER BRANDON MCHOSE PLUGS IN AND ROCKS HARDER THAN EVER ON HIS NEW FOUR SONG EP LATE NIGHT

2012-01-11T09:30:00.000-08:00

FEATURES

TWO TRACKS CURRENTLY IMPACTING TRIPLE A RADIO:

“LATE NIGHT” AND “NEXT 3”

Choosing progress over comfort and musical evolution over the same old, same old, singer/songwriter Brandon McHose made two major career decisions—one musical, one geographical—over the past two years.

With two tracks from his upcoming EP Late Night currently making an impact at radio and his eyes set on a Midwest tour, both are paying off big time.

After two predominately acoustic based full length albums, he pulled a complete 180, unveiling an explosive new, electric guitar driven sound on his upcoming new four track EP Late Night. The title track “Late Night” is currently in rotation at numerous college radio stations throughout the U.S. and “Next Three” shipped to Triple AAA on November 14.

Picking up and moving from Austin after five years, McHose high-tailed it back to his home region of the Midwest, choosing Chicago for a batch of exciting new career opportunities. Since hitting “The Big Windy” in 2010, the multi-talented artist has headlined at the Hard Rock Cafe, Taste of River North Festival and the House of Blues Foundation Room, in addition to creating successful residencies for himself in neighborhood venues (like the Citizen Room) that had never had music before.

While his sizzling guitar sound and powerhouse live performances have earned him hundreds of fans throughout the city, Chicago’s thriving indie music scene is also a springboard for McHose’s latest touring endeavors along the I-35 corridor, which stretches from Northern Minnesota through his home region of Central Iowa down to Southern Texas.

McHose launched his recording career with two well received acoustic based full length albums helmed by big name producers. Life Eclipse (2007) was produced by Chris Maresch, who has played with Eric Johnson; the set featured famed keyboardist Riley Osbourne, who once played with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s band Double Trouble. Token (2008) was produced by Michael Ramos, a onetime member of The BoDeans whose credits include John Mellencamp and Los Lonely Boys.

Combining the melodically infectious, lyrically insightful vibe of classic singer/songwriters (James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon) with a Santana/Beck/Van Halen-like ability to shred, McHose has evolved into a multi-faceted artist in the tradition of his chief influences Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, Jimi Hendrix and—straight from his country phase—Vince Gill and Brad Paisley.

Growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, Brandon McHose was introduced to the guitar by his father, once an aspiring guitarist himself. That’s a common story, a parent sharing passion with a child, but the guitar McHose his dad used to teach him, a 74 Les Paul, makes the history just a bit more extraordinary. His father’s eclectic music collection introduced the young musician to legends like The Beatles, Stones and The Who, but McHose says the reason he began playing more seriously was the solo he saw Joe Walsh do on VH1, in a clip from when he was with The Eagles.

McHose’s equal passion and skill in track and field earned him a full scholarship to Drake University, but he left after one year to ponder his musical future. His family sought professional advice by meeting with the Assistant Chair of the Guitar Department at the famed Berklee School of Music in Boston. After McHose auditioned, the professor’s professional opinion was that his skill and talent levels were far beyond that of a typical student; he recommended that the best road for him was not four years in college but to embark immediately on his career. McHose took this advice and chose Austin, Texas as the perfect environment to hone his craft. While making the connections necessary to launch his recording career, he worked his way up to playing live four nights a week, performing at such venues as The Saxon Pub and Threadgill’s.

“I felt that moving to a major market like Chicago would be a great step forward,” he says, “not only because of the many opportunities to perform in the city and surrounding area, but also because it’s centrally located, close to my hometown of Des Moines and a great centrally located base to tour from. That’s really where the excitement happens, up there onstage. I love feeling the energy from the crowd and trying new things with the songs and with my guitar every night.”

Heart to Speak and Perform at SXSW 2012

2011-12-22T14:17:00.000-08:00

The South By Southwest Music and Media Conference and Festival proudly

announces that Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart will appear as featured

speakers on Thursday, March 15 in the Austin Convention Center. Heart will

also perform at SXSW 2012 as showcasing artists, with date and venue

information to be announced soon.

Songs like "Crazy On You," "Magic Man," "Barracuda" and "Straight On"

established Heart in the DNA of classic rock. Ann and Nancy Wilson were

among the first women who worked as writers, performers and leaders of the

band. Heart proved their staying power in the MTV era, topping the charts

through the 80s and 90s. The sisters have branched out to solo efforts while

continuing to tour and record together. Their most recent album, Red Velvet

Car, debuted at 10* on the Billboard Top 200 LPs in 2010. In 2012, they will

be releasing their follow-up to that album, a career-spanning box set as

well as an autobiography. In addition to their first-ever appearance at

SXSW, they will also be installing their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

in 2012.

Artists who have participated as featured speakers previously at SXSW Music

include Yoko Ono, Morrissey, Elvis Costello, DEVO, Cheap Trick and Emmylou

Harris. The SXSW Interview with Heart will be a highlight among over 150

conference sessions currently being planned, which includes the previously

announced keynote speaker Bruce Springsteen. All SXSW Music Conference

events are open to Music and Platinum registrants as well as registered

showcasing artists. Conference registrations are now being accepted.

For more information on every aspect of SXSW, please go to sxsw.com.

Elvin Bishop Rocks Redwood City at The Club Fox on December 17 at 8:00 p.m.

2011-12-14T20:06:00.000-08:00

Patented New Technology by Venmundi Streams Live Music and Concert Magic to Fans Worldwide

Redwood City, CA.......Elvin Bishop, renowned and popular Blues artist, records his first and only live DVD at a one-time-only performance at the Fox Theatre on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:00 p.m.). A limited number of tickets are on sale for $25 advance/$30 at the door at http://tickets.foxrwc.com/orderticketsarea. This concert marks a world-wide first: VenMundi is breaking down geographic barriers to make this rare show available to fans around the world by streaming the concert live, and on-demand, around the globe on sale now for $10 advance through www.venmundi.com . This is the first public demonstration of VenMundi’s patented capabilities.

VenMundi was created when software developer and entertainer Ron Parks was traveling in London, listening to Jazz artists in numerous clubs. He reflected on how great it was to hear the music and how sad it was that the world could not be there. With the new capabilities in streaming and technology, he wanted to provide a way for the artists to reach fans wherever they are, whenever they want it on their desktop, laptop computers, home entertainment systems and mobile devices.

Ron Parks, VenMundi Founder explains, “VenMundi lets musicians reach their fans live and in- person, and simultaneously via streaming video on the Internet, with a level of visual quality and audio clarity rarely found online. Better still; fans can soon queue up concerts from their favorite artists on-demand so they get what they want, when and how they want it with uncompromised quality and an experience that is almost as good as being there.”

Venmundi.com is a portal, providing live and video on-demand content on the Internet for a price per event through laptops, Smartphones, tablets and home entertainment centers. Although the initial focus is on the entertainment industry, the possibilities are endless. VenMundi’s patented process, includes the workflow and the documents that allow the artist, the venue and the viewer to participate in a VenMundi broadcast.

Barbra Higgins, COO, VenMundi adds, “We are excited to launch our company with this great partnership with Elvin Bishop. We know he has a dedicated following around the world, and while only 200 patrons will be in the theatre, through VenMundi’s platform, thousands more can see and be part of the show. Comments from our recent test events indicate patrons are excited to have access to the music they love from the artists they have followed for years when, where and how they want it through VenMundi’s unprecedented live and on-demand streaming capabilities.”

VenMundi’s patented process enables the uninterrupted transmission of the content, which by using our methodology is of the highest quality and manages the revenues and customer base in an efficient, accessible, easy-to-use format. Every aspect of the licensing and contractual complexities of the music and entertainment industry is addressed effectively. VenMundi is not only poised to be the de-facto destination for live entertainment on the web, but also the Internet equivalent of a lecture/seminar hall, auditorium, theater, stadium, fundraiser event, house of worship and much more.

Elvin Bishop comments, "We're doing a show at the Club Fox in December with VenMundi. They're really nice people and they do a great job. We'll be streaming our show on line and I'm really excited about getting involved in the new technologies."

About Elvin Bishop: Mr. Bishop has been traveling the Blues road longer than most. A founding member of the groundbreaking Paul Butterfield Blues, Elvin has recordings with Clifton Chenier, John Lee Hooker, and The Allman Brothers. He achieved true Pop success with his own 1976 smash hit “Fooled Around and Fell in Love.”

From deep down gutbucket Blues played in smoky South Side Chicago taverns, to raucous roadhouse R&B, he’s instilled all of his music with passion, creativity, and a healthy helping of wisdom, wit and good humor. http://www.elvinbishopmusic.com/

About VenMundi (VM) is an early stage company that has developed a proprietary process and the technology to stream “live” entertainment onto all three screens including mobile devices, laptops, and the living room entertainment system. The patented process, includes the workflow and the documents that allow the artist, the venue and the viewer to participate in a VenMundi broadcast. The technology enables the uninterrupted transmission of the content and manages the revenues and customer base in an efficient, accessible, easy-to-use format. Every aspect of the licensing and contractual complexities of the music and entertainment industry is addressed effectively. www.venmundi.com

About the Club Fox and Fox theatre: Located in the heart of Redwood City; the Fox Theatre and the Club Fox are a premier location on the Peninsula for live shows, concerts, private events and corporate events. The Fox theatre with a capacity of over 1,348 amongst its three floors and its sister venue the Club Fox with 240 capacity, the possibilities are endless for private and corporate events.

The Fox Theatre opened its doors to the public on January 2, 1929 as The New Sequoia Theater by Ellis John Arkursh to show motion pictures. Touring Europe Arkursh gathered all of his favorite architectural details from various venues to create the Moorish feel and style on the inside and the gothic feel on the exterior, which was executed beautifully by the Reid Brothers of San Francisco. http://www.foxrwc.com/

TOBY KEITH NAMED "ARTIST OF THE DECADE" AT ACAs "Red Solo Cup" Runneth Over; Featured On Glee

2011-12-09T15:06:00.000-08:00

(LAS VEGAS, Nev.) Singer, songwriter and entertainer Toby Keith was named "Artist Of The Decade" on Monday night's American Country Awards, which aired live from Las Vegas on FOX. The honor is based on Mediabase airplay data from 2001 to 2010 which shows Keith as the No. 1 artist at country radio during that span.

After receiving the honor, Toby closed the show with a performance of his unexpected new smash "Red Solo Cup," which was only officially named a single last week after the video went viral on the internet to the tune of more than five million views (Click here to view: http://youtu.be/BKZqGJONH68). The song is the No. 1 iTunes country download and No. 10 (and climbing) in the all-genre iTunes Top Songs download, most added at country radio and already No. 22 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart.

So complete is the Cup's cultural impact, it was covered by the cast of the FOX-TV hit Glee – perhaps the fastest release-to-Glee-rendition of any song yet featured on the show.

"Red Solo Cup" is the second single from Keith's recently-released No. 1 album Clancy's Tavern following the No. 1 smash "Made In America." Keith recently completed the European leg of his Locked & Loaded tour, where international fans were quick to pick up the new custom of waving the iconic red Solo cups.

PROJECT GRAND SLAM RELEASES NEW COVER OF THE HOLLIES HIT, “HE AIN’T HEAVY, HE’S MY BROTHER” TO BENEFIT VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE

2011-11-30T18:10:00.000-08:00

New York, NY. November 30, 2011

Project Grand Slam (PGS), the contemporary electric jazz group, has today released their version of the classic Hollies hit, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”, with Special Guest Vocals by Joye Hennessey. The song is dedicated to the victims of child abuse, relating to the Penn State sexual abuse scandal.

Like millions of people across the United States and the world, the members of PGS were horrified to learn of the sexual abuse allegations connected with Jerry Sandusky in the Penn State University football program. PGS was completing its new album when they realized that “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” was particularly appropriate to the Penn State scandal. The song’s title was the motto for Father Flannigan’s Boys Town charity, which was created in the early 1900s to help disadvantaged and abused children. The song’s message of support for victims and the abused is consistent with Penn State’s healing efforts following the sexual abuse scandal. Therefore, PGS decided to immediately release “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” as a single, and to donate proceeds from the song to benefit the victims of child abuse.

The song is currently available for download on iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/he-aint-heavy-hes-my-brother/id482770139. The song will also shortly be available for online streaming from Spotify, Napster, Amazon and others.

About Project Grand Slam

PGS’s debut album, Play, released in 2008, garnered rave critical reviews. A track from the album, “The Captain Of Her Heart”, with guest vocals by Judie Tzuke, was a Top 20 radio hit. In addition, PGS and five tracks from Play were prominently featured in an episode of the hit NBC series, “Lipstick Jungle”, starring Brooke Shields.

The core members of PGS are Robert Miller (Electric Bass, Composer), Ron Thaler (Drums, Percussion), and Gilad Ronen (Saxophones, Composer). Each has significant and extensive musical credentials. “He Ain’t Heavy” also features guest artists Mike Eckroth (Keyboards), Danny Lerman (Saxophones), Justin Smith (Strings) and Joye Hennessey (Special Guest Vocals).

PGS’s follow up album containing “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” and seven other original tunes, will be released in early 2012.

To find PGS on the web:

Official Website: http://projectgrandslam.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/projectgrandslam

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/projectgrndslam

SONY MUSIC’S POPMARKET.COM PRESENTS COMPLETE ALBUMS COLLECTIONS BY THE GREATEST NAMES IN JAZZ

2011-11-26T16:31:00.000-08:00

Miles Davis, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Paul Desmond, Stan Getz,

Dexter Gordon, Billie Holiday, The Original Mahavishnu Orchestra,

Wynton Marsalis, Return To Forever, Woody Shaw, Wayne Shorter,

Nina Simone, Grover Washington Jr., and Weather Report

Each box set contains the artist’s complete album output for Columbia or RCA, or focuses on a particular period of the artist’s output for the labels; All albums are packaged in replica mini-LP sleeves with vintage front and back cover artwork, plus new booklet with liner notes, discographical information, photography, and more

Perfect box set gifts for the holiday season, available NOW

through Sony Music’s PopMarket.com

Call it the Ultimate Jazz Festival, as Sony Music’s PopMarket.com website presents Complete Album Collections on Columbia Records and RCA Records (spanning the 1950s to the ’00s) by the greatest names in modern jazz – the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Billie Holiday, the original Mahavishnu Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis, Return To Forever, Woody Shaw, Wayne Shorter, Grover Washington Jr., and Weather Report (all on Columbia); and Paul Desmond and Nina Simone (on RCA).

Newly assembled and affordably priced, the first wave of jazz titles in the Complete Albums box set series is available now at the PopMarket.com website – http://complete.popmarket.com through Columbia/Legacy and RCA/Legacy, divisions of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

Each multi-disc box set contains the artist’s entire album output during their Columbia or RCA tenure, or focuses on some aspect of it. Each album is packaged in a replica mini-LP sleeve reproducing that LP’s original front and back cover artwork. Where applicable, the albums in each box include the bonus tracks that have been released on the expanded CD editions over the years.

Several of the box sets in this first wave of jazz titles contain bonus discs that build on the artists’ LP catalog. The Dexter Gordon bonus CD, for example, contains a full program of material not on his original Columbia LPs. The Wayne Shorter box set contains two bonus CDs of his compositions as recorded by Weather Report during his years with the group. The Stan Getz bonus CD includes selections from the Woody Herman Carnegie Hall 40^th Anniversary Concert (1976), Montreux Summit (1977), and Havana Jam (1979), all featuring Getz. The original Mahavishnu Orchestra bonus CD contains live tracks from their Central Park (NYC) summer 1973 show. And the Woody Shaw Stepping Stones bonus CD contains additional live tracks from his August 1978 dates at the Village Vanguard.

The box sets in the series have been produced by long-time Grammy Award®-winning and Grammy Award®-nominated Legacy producers Richard Seidel, Michael Cuscuna, Michael Brooks, Didier Deutsch, and Bob Belden. All packaging has been supervised by Grammy Award®-winning former Legacy Vice President of Jazz Marketing Seth Rothstein, and art directed by award-winning designer Edward O’Dowd,.

Virtually all of the CDs in these box sets have been mastered by respected Sony Senior Mastering Engineer Mark Wilder. He has received seven Grammy Award® nominations and 3 Grammy Awards® in his nearly 25 years at Sony.

As the dominant jazz record label for most of the 20^th century, Columbia was home to a myriad of leading jazz figures during the LP era, and into the digital age. Forthcoming titles in the Complete Albums series will include the music of Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Thelonious Monk, Shakti with John McLaughlin, Charles Mingus, The Brecker Brothers, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, and more.

Welcome to the first wave of jazz titles in the Complete Albums series:

MILES DAVIS - THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION

(Columbia/Legacy, 52 albums on 70 CDs, with previously unreleased material and bonus DVD; Available now; Selection # 88697 55852 2)

Perhaps the ‘granddaddy’ of the Complete Albums series (released in 2009), this deluxe oversized box contains the entire Columbia output of Miles Davis (1926-1991) from 1949 to 1985, a total of 52 album titles (CDs and double CDs) comprising 70 CDs in all. From the 1949 recording In Paris Festival Int’l De Jazz May, and 1957’s ’Round About Midnight, all the way through 1985’s Aura, this box set occupies a special place in jazz history. Bonus discs include the previously unreleased full-length audio version of the Isle Of Wight performance from 1970; and a bonus DVD, Miles Davis Quintet: Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams / Live In Europe '67, filmed in Stockholm and Karlsruhe, Germany, the only video of this Miles Davis Quintet lineup ever to be officially commercially released.

THE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET - THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA STUDIO ALBUMS COLLECTION (Columbia/Legacy, 19 CDs, 1954-67; Available December 6^th; Selection # 88697 93881 2)

The 17 core years that Dave Brubeck spent at Columbia Records (from 1953 to 1970), saw this complex musician and compassionate bandleader develop into a multi-talented composer, arranger, producer, conductor, orchestrator, and ultimately a father figure for at least two generations of third through fifth stream jazz players. The Dave Brubeck Quartet, in its early lineup (with alto saxophonist Paul Desmond, drummer Joe Dodge, and a succession of bassists) was signed to Columbia in 1953, by the renowned George Avakian. He followed the pianist’s early lead (of live concert recordings on Fantasy) and also recorded him live for his Columbia debut. But this 19-album box set focuses on the Quartet’s studio LPs, which actually began with their second album, Brubeck Time (1954). The so-called ‘classic’ Dave Brubeck Quartet took shape with the entrance of drummer Joe Morello in 1956 and bassist Eugene Wright in 1958. They staked their claim to jazz immortality in 1959 with the Time Out album, the first million-selling LP in jazz history, featuring the single that changed all the rules, “Take Five” b/w “Blue Rondo A La Turk.” There are stories and backgrounds to be told of every Brubeck Columbia LP, for example, 1961’s Brandenburg Gate: Revisited, with its 10-part, 20-minute title suite, written by Dave and orchestrated and conducted by his brother Howard, a follow-up to their 1960 Leonard Bernstein project. Likewise, the Quartet’s “Jazz Impressions” series – Jazz Impressions Of The U.S.A. (1957), Jazz Impressions Of Eurasia (1958), Jazz Impressions Of Japan (1964), and Jazz Impressions Of New York (1965). The Quartet was disbanded in 1967, the year of their final Columbia studio LP, The Dave Brubeck Quartet Plays Cole Porter - Anything Goes!, a swingin’ affair.

1. Brubeck Time (1955)

2. Jazz Impressions Of The U.S.A. (1956, first time on CD in U.S.)

3. Jazz Impressions Of Eurasia (1958, first time on CD in U.S.)

4. Dave Digs Disney (1957)

5. Gone With The Wind (1959, first time on CD in U.S.)

6. Time Out! (1959)

7. Southern Scene (1960, first time on CD in U.S.)

8. Bernstein Plays Brubeck Plays Bernstein (1961, including for the first time on CD in U.S., “Dialogue For Jazz Combo And Orchestra” with New York Philharmonic conducted by Leonard Bernstein)

9. Time Further Out (1961)

10. Countdown: Time In Outer Space (1962)

11. Bossa Nova U.S.A. (1963, first time on CD in U.S.)

12. Brandenburg Gate: Revisited (1963)

13. Time Changes (1964)

14. Jazz Impressions Of Japan (1964)

15. Jazz Impressions Of New York (1965, first time on CD in U.S.)

16. Angel Eyes (1965, first time on CD in U.S.)

17. My Favorite Things (1966, first time on CD in U.S.)

18. Time In (1966)

19. Plays Cole Porter - Anything Goes! (1967, first time on CD in U.S.)

PAUL DESMOND - COMPLETE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION

(RCA/Legacy, 6 CDs, 1961-65, 50^th anniversary box set from Dave Brubeck saxophonist; Available now; Selection # 88697 93941 2)

After ten years as a pivotal voice in the Dave Brubeck Quartet (starting in 1951), alto saxophonist Paul Desmond (1924-1977) signed to RCA Records as a solo artist in 1961, even as he continued with Brubeck through ’67. So this volume serves as a 50^th anniversary celebration of Desmond at RCA, where he was mostly heard in quartet settings with guitarist Jim Hall plus bass and drums. The exception was Desmond Blue, his RCA debut, an orchestral session of standards arranged by Bob Prince (with a memorable “My Funny Valentine”). Take Ten and Bossa Antigua revealed Desmond’s interest in the bossa nova, and Brazilian music in general. Desmond and baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan proved a perfect match on Two Of A Mind. His final RCA releases, Glad To Be Unhappy and Easy Living presented an artist who had developed a solid identity and, just a few years later, would be able to venture out as a leader on his own. This box set, which includes a total of 24 bonus tracks over the course of the six albums, includes liner notes by Grammy Award®-winning producer Richard Seidel.

1. Desmond Blue (1961)

2. Take Ten (1963)

3. Bossa Antigua (1964)

4. Glad To Be Unhappy (1963-1965)

5. Easy Living (1963-1965)

6. Two Of A Mind with Gerry Mulligan (1962)

STAN GETZ - THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION

(Columbia/Legacy, 8 CDs, 1972-80, with bonus disc of ’70s live material; Available now; Selection # 88697 88058 2)

Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz (1927-1991) spent nearly a quarter century becoming one of the best known of all jazz musicians before his arrival at Columbia in 1972. There was his apprenticeship in the Swing era (notably with the Woody Herman Orchestra), his time on the post-war Bebop and Cool Jazz scenes of the ’50s, and his penultimate introduction of bossa nova to American ears in the early ’60s. Like Miles Davis, Getz (who was mainly self-produced at Columbia) thrived in the presence of younger, adventurous players. His label debut of 1972, Captain Marvel (with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Tony Williams), remains a jazz benchmark. The Best Of Two Worlds was a reunion with Brazil’s João Gilberto; likewise, The Peacocks with pianist (and sometime singer) Jimmy Rowles was a long overdue collaboration by the two veterans. Four of the albums in the box set have never been on CD in the U.S.: The Master, Another World, Children Of The World, and Forest Eyes, a rare soundtrack to a Dutch film. As previously noted, the bonus CD includes selections featuring Getz from the Woody Herman Carnegie Hall 40^th Anniversary Concert (1976), Montreux Summit (1977, unavailable on CD outside Japan), and Havana Jam (1979, also unavailable on CD outside Japan).

1. Captain Marvel (1972) with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Tony Williams

2. Stan Getz/ João Gilberto: The Best Of Two Worlds (1975)

3. The Master (1975)

4. Stan Getz/ Jimmy Rowles: The Peacocks (1975)

5. Another World (1977)

6. Children Of The World (1980)

7. Forest Eyes (music composed, arranged & conducted by Jurre Haanstra) (CBS Holland, 1979)

8. Bonus Disc: selections from Woody Herman Carnegie Carnegie Hall 40^th Anniversary Concert, Montreux Summit, and Havana Jam.

DEXTER GORDON - THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION

(Columbia/Legacy, 7 CDs, 1976-80, with bonus disc compilation of non-LP material; Available now; Selection # 88697 91891 2)

Initially influenced by the Swing era’s two greatest tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins, Dexter Gordon (1923-1990) made his mark in the bebop era, adapting alto saxophonist Charlie Parker’s idiosyncratic rhythms and harmonies to the tenor sax. ‘Long Tall Dexter’ became a regular in the Blue Note stable, but his battles with drugs took their toll, and he was forced to relocate to Europe in 1962. At a rare New York club appearance in 1976, expatriate Gordon was signed to Columbia Records by Bruce Lundvall. Gordon soon thereafter made headlines with his live double-LP, Homecoming: Live At The Village Vanguard. It was the start of a wonderful five year stand at the label, where Gordon was heard with younger players like trumpeter Woody Shaw, pianist George Cables, and others. Of special note is the rhythm section on 1980’s Gotham City – Cedar Walton on piano, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Art Blakey – with guest shots from Shaw and guitarist George Benson. The additional bonus disc contains rarities from Montreux Summit, Havana Jam, and a rare studio single. This box set was produced by Grammy Award®-winner Michael Cuscuna, co-directed by Woody Shaw III, and includes liner notes by Cuscuna and Gordon's widow and long-time manager, Maxine Gordon.

1. Homecoming: Live At The Village Vanguard [2 CDs] (1976)

2. Sophisticated Giant (1977)

3. Manhattan Symphonie (1978)

4. Live At Carnegie Hall (1978)

5. Gotham City (1980)

6. Bonus Disc: selections from Montreux Summit, Havana Jam, and a rare studio single.

LADY DAY: THE COMPLETE BILLIE HOLIDAY ON COLUMBIA (1933-1944)

(Columbia/Legacy, 10^th Anniversary reconfiguration of historic 10-CD 2001 box set; Available November 21^st; Selection # 88697 93036 2)

2011 marks the 10^th anniversary of this 10-CD release, produced by Michael Brooks and Michael Cuscuna, which won the Grammy Award® for Best Historical Album. This reconfigured package contains the same 230 tracks on 10 CDs, including Billie Holiday’s 153 masters released on the Columbia, Brunswick, Vocalion, OKeh, and Harmony labels, plus 77 ‘Alternate Sides, Radio Air-Checks and Rarities.’ Here are her two premiere Columbia recordings of November-December 1933, backed by the Benny Goodman Orchestra and produced by John Hammond (“Your Mother’s Son-In-Law” and “Riffin’ The Scotch”). 151 songs follow, starting with her July 1935 session with Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra (including “I Wished On The Moon,” “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” and “Miss Brown To You”), through some 42 sessions culminating in February 1942 (with “It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie” and “Until The Real Thing Comes Along”). Nearly half of the 77 rarities that follow (from 1934 to ’44) were previously unreleased in the U.S. when this box set was issued in 2001. Lady Day leads her own band or is accompanied by orchestras led by Goodman, Teddy Wilson, Count Basie, Benny Carter, Eddie Heywood (and, on one historic track, Duke Ellington) – and sings in the company of such giants as Roy Eldridge, Gene Krupa, Ben Webster, Chu Berry, Johnny Hodges, Artie Shaw, Jonah Jones, Buck Clayton, Lester Young, Freddie Green, Walter Page, Jo Jones, Charlie Shavers, Harry James, Hot Lips Page, and dozens of others. This new box set reprises Gary Giddins liner notes essay from the 2001 edition. 70 years after Billie Holiday’s signature recording of “God Bless the Child” in May 1941, her original body of work continues to fascinate generations of fans

THE ORIGINAL MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA - THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION (Columbia/Legacy, 40^th Anniversary Celebration includes

5 CDs, 1971-74, with bonus CD of previously unreleased live concert material; Available November 21^st; Selection # 88697 93034 2)

Forty years after their debut, the original Mahavishnu Orchestra lineup is celebrated on this box set. Their truly international lineup may have contributed to their immediate global popularity: John McLaughlin (guitar, born in England, 1942), Jan Hammer (piano and keyboards, b. Czechoslovakia, 1948), Jerry Goodman (violin, b. Chicago, 1949), Rick Laird (bass, b. Dublin, 1941), and New Yorker Billy Cobham (drums, b. Panama, 1944). Mahavishnu was formed by McLaughlin in 1971, after he had spent his first two years in the U.S. at the dawn of the jazz-rock fusion movement, playing with the Tony Williams Lifetime, and on Miles Davis’ studio sessions (starting with In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew in 1969). At Miles’ suggestion, McLaughlin finally formed his own group. Mahavishnu’s legend played out on three LPs over the course of three years, during which time they played 530 shows around the world before their farewell concert of December 31, 1973. Sessions for (what was to be) their third studio LP, recorded in London in June 1973, were shelved until their discovery by producer Bob Belden in 1999, when they were released as The Lost Trident Sessions. Most of the same music from those sessions showed up on Between Nothingness And Eternity, the original band’s final LP, and was also performed live at Central Park in August ’73. The bonus CD here includes over an hour of music from Central Park, completely different songs from the original Between Nothingness album, including the only authorized live versions of tunes from both Inner Mounting Flame and Birds Of Fire. One more bonus track, the rare “Noonward Race” (originally recorded on Inner Mounting Flame), was released on the soundtrack of Mar y Sol (Atco), a legendary rock festival in Puerto Rico, 1972.

1. The Inner Mounting Flame (1971)

2. Birds Of Fire (1972)

3. The Lost Trident Sessions (rec. 1973, rel. 1999)

4. Between Nothingness and Eternity (1973)

5. Bonus Disc: Between Nothingness And Eternity [Disc 2], previously unreleased.

RETURN TO FOREVER - COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION

(Columbia/Legacy, 5 CDs, 1976-77, includes entire 3-CD RTF Live concert of 1977; Available now; Selection # 88697 88319 2)

Return To Forever was initially built on the shoulders of keyboardist Chick Corea (b. 1941), a seasoned veteran of jazz and Latin bands for nearly a decade (including his stint with Miles Davis from 1968 to 1970), by the time he formed the first RTF in ’71. After several personnel shifts over five years and five LPs, the classic lineup of the second more electric version of RTF included Corea, guitarist Al Di Meola (b. 1954), bassist Stanley Clarke (b. 1951), and drummer Lenny White (b. 1949). Their Columbia debut, Romantic Warrior was the third RTF album to break the Top 40, and the first to earn RIAA gold. Corea (with Clarke) then completely reorganized the lineup again, adding four horns to record Musicmagic, another Top 40 success. Their live album of 1977 (recorded at the Palladium in New York City) turned into a 4-LP box set – and this new release marks the first time that the entire two and a half hour concert (unavailable for some 20 years) has been released on CD in the U.S. (Highlights include extended takes on the Musicmagic material plus Corea’s “Spanish Fantasy” suite, and the jazz standards “Green Dolphin Street” and “Come Rain Or Come Shine.”) As evidenced by their recent 70-date reunion world tour (Corea, Clarke and White, plus violinist Jean Luc Ponty and guitarist Frank Gambale), RTF has never lost its mystery and appeal. This box set, remastered by Mark Wilder, with liner notes by producer Bob Belden, is a fitting tribute to the legend of Return To Forever.

1. Romantic Warrior (1976)

2. Musicmagic (1977)

3. Return To Forever Live [3 CDs] (1977)

WOODY SHAW - THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION

(Columbia/Legacy, 6 CDs, 1977-81, with Stepping Stones: Bonus Tracks; Available now; Selection # 88697 91890 2)

Miles Davis said of Newark’s Woody Shaw (1944-1989), “Now there's a great trumpet player. He can play different from all of them.” In his 20s, Shaw learned from and worked alongside an eclectic and dazzling array of musicians, from Eric Dolphy and Bud Powell, to Larry Young and Horace Silver. Like Dexter Gordon, nearly 20 years his senior, Shaw gathered momentum as a regular in the Blue Note stable starting in the late ’60s, so it was no surprise when he joined Gordon on his Homecoming album of 1976. Shaw’s own Columbia debut came the following year, Rosewood, a program of sextet and concert ensemble pieces voted Best Jazz Album of the year in the Down Beat Readers’ Poll, which also named Shaw Best Trumpeter. A year later, Shaw followed Gordon’s lead with his own Village Vanguard live album, Stepping Stones, and this box set includes a bonus CD of live tracks from those August 1978 dates. Younger players openly expressed their admiration for Shaw, among them Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Garrett and Steve Turre. Shaw’s death from medical problems at age 45 robbed jazz of a trumpet giant. This box set was co-produced and co-directed and designed by his son, Woody Shaw III, who also contributed liner notes along with Shaw's long time friend and producer, Michael Cuscuna.

1. Rosewood (1977)

2. Stepping Stones (1978)

3. Stepping Stones: Bonus Tracks

4. Woody III (1979)

5. For Sure! (1979)

6. United (1981)

WAYNE SHORTER - THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION

(Columbia/Legacy, 6 CDs, 1974-88, with 2 bonus CDs of Weather Report compositions; Available now; Selection # 88697 92024 2)

The odyssey of Wayne Shorter (b. 1933) from the mean streets of Newark to worldwide respect and recognition as a musician, composer and bandleader is one of the great stories in modern jazz. He was 26 in 1959, when he joined Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers on tenor saxophone for a five year stint as music director that propelled him into the front ranks. Like many others (including Dexter Gordon and Woody Shaw in this series), Shorter became a regular in the Blue Note stable, on the label’s blowing sessions and on his own albums starting in 1964. That same year, Shorter became a member of Miles Davis’ so-called ‘second great quintet’ (joining Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams). Over the course of a dozen LPs, he established himself as both instrumentalist (adding soprano saxophone to his arsenal) and as composer of some of the group’s signature tracks, “Footprints,” “E.S.P.,” and “Nefertiti” among them. At Miles’ In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew sessions in 1969, Shorter crossed paths with Joe Zawinul, and in 1971, they formed Weather Report with bassist Miroslav Vitous. (This box set includes two bonus CDs comprising all of the compositions that Shorter wrote for Weather Report, 23 tracks totaling 90 minutes). In 1974, Shorter brought U.S. attention to the celebrated Brazilian artist Milton Nascimento on the Native Dancer LP. Upon Weather Report’s dissolution in 1985, Shorter commenced his solo career at Columbia with three CDs over the next three years, Atlantis, Phantom Navigator, and Joy Ryder, hard-to-find rarities until now, newly remastered for this collection.

1. New bonus disc: Weather Report Recordings of Wayne Shorter Compositions 1

2. New bonus disc: Weather Report Recordings of Wayne Shorter Compositions 2

3. Native Dancer with Milton Nascimento (1974)

4. Atlantis (1985)

5. Phantom Navigator (1986)

6. Joy Ryder (1988)

NINA SIMONE - THE COMPLETE RCA ALBUMS COLLECTION

(RCA/Legacy, 9 CDs, 1967-74, pinnacle of Simone’s recording career; Available now; Selection # 88697 93890 2)

Singer and songwriter Nina Simone (1933-2003) holds a special position of honor in the grand hierarchy of great African-American female vocalists of the 20^th century – Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Mahalia Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and Aretha Franklin among them. Simone’s music encompasses a broad palette, ranging from 1920s blues and the jazz of Duke Ellington and Miles Davis, to the standard songbook of Berlin and the Gershwins. There is traditional American balladry and the poetry of Langston Hughes, and the folk rock of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Randy Newman, Richie Havens, Sandy Denny, Jimmy Webb (and many others). Simone brought the Beatles, the Byrds, the Bee Gees, and Hair into her repertoire, as well as Olatunji and the exciting new strains of Afro-pop and World Music before the genre even had a name. It is all here, and much more on her nine RCA albums recorded between 1967 and 1974, considered the pinnacle of her recording career. All of the bonus tracks that have been added to expanded editions of the albums over the years around the world – a total of 35 – are included here. All of the albums have been re-mastered by Mark Wilder, seven of them for the first time ever in the U.S. As with Desmond (above), liner notes are written by producer Richard Seidel, who also produced the expanded versions of Silk & Soul and Nina Simone Sings The Blues in 2006, and compiled Legacy’s three-disc, multi-label Grammy Award®- nominated anthology of 2008, To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story.

1. Nina Simone Sings The Blues (1967)

2. Silk & Soul (1967)

3. ’Nuff Said (1968)

4. Nina Simone And Piano! (1969)

5. To Love Somebody (1969)

6. Black Gold (1970)

7. Here Comes The Sun (1971)

8. Emergency Ward (1972)

9. It Is Finished (1974)

GROVER WASHINGTON Jr. - COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION

(Columbia/Legacy, 9 CDs, 1986-2000, with rare Cosby Show CD, Christmas CD, and classical CD; Available now; Selection # 88697 92448 2)

The multi-instrumental alto, tenor and soprano saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. (1943-1999) enjoyed a career that spanned all musical boundaries, from swing to funk, from big city R&B and soul to smooth pop. Underneath it all was a grounding in jazz that infused every note he played. He spent most of the ’70s at CTI/Kudu, leading his own LP sessions and appearing as sideman on many others. After a brief stay at Motown, he moved to Elektra for five albums, where he recorded his signature, “Just The Two Of Us” with vocalist Bill Withers. GW arrived at Columbia in 1986, with House Full Of Love (Music from The Cosby Show), a very rare, out-of-print album that opens this box set. At Columbia, he virtually invented the Smooth Jazz genre, showing off his diversity by alternating R&B-jazz-pop albums (Strawberry Moon, Time Out Of Mind, Next Exit, and Soulful Strut) featuring Nancy Wilson, Ramsey Lewis, B.B. King, Levi Stubbs, and others – with straight ahead jazz sessions (Then And Now, All My Tomorrows) with Herbie Hancock, Hank Jones, Tommy Flanagan, Ron Carter, and Eddie Henderson, among other top jazz luminaries. Grover consistently placed his albums in the Top 5 of both the Top Jazz and Top Contemporary Jazz charts. His eclectic nature was underscored by a beautiful Christmas album (Breath of Heaven: A Holiday Collection); and Aria, a set of classical pieces adapted for saxophone.

1. House Full Of Love (Music from The Cosby Show) (1986)

2. Strawberry Moon (1987)

3. Then And Now (1988)

4. Time Out Of Mind (1989)

5. Next Exit (1992)

6. All My Tomorrows (1994)

7. Soulful Strut (1996)

8. Breath of Heaven: A Holiday Collection (1997)

9. Aria (Sony Classical, 2000)

WEATHER REPORT - THE COLUMBIA ALBUMS 1976-1982 FEATURING JOE ZAWINUL, WAYNE SHORTER AND JACO PASTORIUS (Columbia/Legacy; Available November 21^st; Selection # 88697 93940 2)

The origins and sound of Weather Report in 1971 are credited to the bond created by veterans Joe Zawinul on keyboards (1932-2007) and saxophonist Wayne Shorter (b. 1933). They met while working with Miles Davis on his transitional sessions of 1969, that led to In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew. By 1975, the jazzman’s grapevine had gone into overtime with the news that Weather Report (i.e. Shorter and Zawinul) were having a fifth overhaul of the lineup in as many years. Most notable was the decision to change up the rhythm section yet again, with a new drummer (WR fans always looked forward to new drummers and percussion on every LP), and a new bassist. At first, skepticism greeted the choice of 23-year old South Florida’s Jaco Pastorius (1951-1987), who was stepping into the shoes of WR bass heroes Miroslav Vitous and Alphonso Johnson. A teenage bass prodigy around Miami’s eclectic jazz, rock, funk and Latin scenes, Jaco powered his way into the Black Market sessions, and the group soared on his first WR composition, “Barbary Coast.” Onstage, Jaco quickly turned the band’s front-line into a triumvirate, just what WR needed to break through the commercial barriers of jazz-rock fusion and win their first RIAA platinum album, Heavy Weather, with its signature hit (“Birdland”) and Jaco’s brief yet distinctive “Teen Town” (on which he also played drums). Jaco was developing into a daring and innovative instrumentalist as well as composer, getting more groove time on 1978’s Mr. Gone (with “Punk Jazz” and the danceable “River People”), and on the Grammy Award®-winning 8:30, the part-studio and part-live double-LP of 1979, with new drummer Peter Erskine poached from the Maynard Ferguson big band (check out the six-minute live version of “Teen Town,” and Jaco’s five-minute solo piece, “Slang”). He injected an energy and infectious rhythm into Weather Report during his too-brief five-year stay, setting the band in a new direction, and winning himself a devoted following among generations of bassists to come. This box set contains all of the authorized albums (studio and live) that Jaco made with Weather Report during his period with the group.

1. Black Market (1976)

2. Heavy Weather (1977)

3. Mr. Gone (1978)

4. 8:30 (1979)

5. Night Passage (1980)

6. Weather Report (1982)

WYNTON MARSALIS - SWINGING INTO THE 21^st ALBUMS COLLECTION

(Columbia/Legacy, 10 albums of 1999-2002; Available now; Selection # 88697 94428 2)

Back in 1998, Wynton Marsalis began to plan an unprecedented release of nine major album projects – septet sessions, jazz and blues tributes, film music, scores for ballet, modern classical and orchestral works, and of course plenty of bonafide swing. Recorded between 1993 and 2000, they were all released during 1999 and 2000, under the banner “Swinging into the 21^st!” Now, in honor of Wynton’s (ongoing) 50^th birthday celebration [October 18, 2011], those nine albums have been brought together as a box set, along with his career-defining masterpiece All Rise double-CD as the tenth title. Recorded in Los Angeles three days after 9/11, and released in 2002, All Rise is the perfect climax to this look into the musical universe of Pulitzer and 9-time Grammy Award®-winner Wynton Marsalis.

1. A Fiddler's Tale (1999)

2. Standard Time, Vol. 4: Marsalis Plays Monk (1999)

3. At The Octoroon Balls (1999)

4. Big Train (1999)

5. Sweet Release & Ghost Story (1999)

6. Standard Time, Vol. 6: Mr. Jelly Lord (1999)

7. Reeltime (1999)

8. Selections from The Village Vanguard Box (2000)

9. The Marciac Suite (2000)

10. All Rise [2 CDs] (2002)

For further information contact:

Aliza Rabinoff at DKC Public Relations, 212-981-5157, aliza_rabinoff@dkcnews.com

Tom Cording at Legacy Media Relations, 212.833.4448,

Tom.Cording@sonymusic.com

Randy Haecker at Legacy Media Relations, 212.833.4101,

Randy.Haecker@sonymusic.com

ADDRESS TEARSHEETS TO:

Tom Cording or Randy Haecker

SONY MUSIC / LEGACY

550 Madison Avenue, 17^th floor

New York, NY 10022-3211

http://Complete.Popmarket.com

http://www.Popmarket.com

http://www.LegacyRecordings.com

SOJOURN MUSIC RELEASE HOLIDAY INSPIRED SONGS “A CHILD IS BORN” SET FOR RELEASE ON NOV 22, 2011

2011-11-11T10:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas at Sojourn has always been a unique thing. From the first year in the life of the church, Sojourn have been fascinated by the more gritty side of the Christmas story. The church fathers chose the darkest time of the year to celebrate the dawning of the Light of Lights in the birth of Christ, the entrance of hope into darkness.

The Christmas story itself is one of contrasts – God as a baby. A king in a manger. His birth was welcomed not by crowds and royalty, but by outcasts and foreigners. Because the Christmas story is ultimately a story of hope for the hopeless, healing for the broken, and light in the darkness.

Sojourn Church has sought for many years to capture that emotion in their Christmas music. There’s a place for joy, a necessary and central place for celebration, but that joy and celebration has its most weight when seen in the context of the suffering and longing from which it emerges. So Christmas music at Sojourn has always had a dark edge, a sense of tension and angst, which points us to the darkness of our own hearts that longs for the light of Christ.

This new CD recording, titled “A Child Is Born,” is birthed almost directly out of Sojourn Church’s Christmas worship services. The members of Sojourn recorded this new list of tracks at home, so to speak, at the 930 Arts Center (our Midtown campus) and at Eddy Morris’s, Sojourn’s Production Director and at Ear Candy studios, where Sojourn also recorded the albums, “Before the Throne” and “These Things I Remember.” Sojourn’s own pastor, Mike Cosper, states, “It’s an indie rock record, recorded the indie rock way, piecing together what we could to give fans and music lovers this homemade gift. It’s not perfect, but most home-made things aren’t.”

Sojourn Church also reached out to some friends and borrowed their songs for the making of “A Child Is Born,” including Bifrost Arts’ “Joy Joy,” a song based on a very old melody that perfectly captures that tense, advent joy. They also recorded Bill Mallonee’s “Knocking at Your Door”, a song we sing every Advent season whose gritty and earthy words bring the season home. In addition is Sandra McCracken’s “This is the Christ” a text McCracken reworked from Martin Luther, and was an instant favorite for Sojourn during last year’s holiday sermons.

In addition, Sojourn Church has a number of originals and traditional songs, including a punk-rock inspired “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” the grittiest version of “Go Tell it On the Mountain,” anyone will ever hear and ambient pop versions of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” and “Silent Night,” a John Newton text reworked by Brooks Ritter (“Oh Glorious Hour”) and an ancient anonymous text reworked by Jamie Barnes (“A Voice is Sounding”).

JULES VERNE FESTIVAL HONORS ICONIC FILM LEGEND JOHN WAYNE IN HOLLYWOOD AT THE CINERAMA DOME

2011-10-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

THE JOHN WAYNE TRIBUTE EVENT

Thursday, November 10, 2011 @ 7pm

Cinerama Dome at the Arclight Hollywood

6360 W. Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

Jules Verne Festival creators and film producers Jean-Christophe Jeauffre and Frédéric Dieudonné will dedicate the 2011 Jules Verne “Legendaire” Award annual presentation to the iconic screen adventurer JOHN WAYNE (www.julesverne.org) on November 10, 2011 at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood CA and host a special screening of the classic film, “True Grit.”

A celebrity event evening will welcome Patrick Wayne and Ethan Wayne to accept the award on their father’s behalf. Special celebrity guests include actress and costar Kim Darby who starred as Mattie Ross in the John Wayne classic, “True Grit,” and legendary harmonica player Tommy Morgan (Rio Bravo, The Cowboys, Dances with Wolves) among other special guests for this special evening. The guests will be treated with an exclusive filmed interview by Glen Campbell for this special tribute to John Wayne.

The red carpet award show will be followed with a special presentation of John Wayne’s timeless classic movie, “True Grit,” the film that won him an Oscar Award in 1969.

The profits from the annual Jules Verne Award Charity Event will benefit the children of Los Angeles through the JVF Nature & Education year-round program.

The Jules Verne Festival was created in Paris in 1992 and is dedicated to the spirit of Adventure and of Conservation through Entertainment. This heartfelt and unusual event has been celebrating legendary movies and artists for 20 years in Paris and Los Angeles.

The Jules Verne Award was created in 1992 and was historically presented to accredited actors and actresses and movies symbolizing the spirit of Jules Verne. Some of these classic films include Blade Runner, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Empire Strikes Back, Up!, Star Trek Begins among others. Prior hosted honorees include James Cameron, George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Tony Curtis, Roy E. Disney, Omar Sharif, Jacques Cousteau, Jane Goodall and Buzz Aldrin.

John Wayne (1907-1979) was an American actor, director and producer and regarded as a Classic American Legend. Wayne has played the lead in 142 of his film appearances (1926-1976) and is best known for his roles in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, The Quiet Man, The Searchers, Rio Bravo and True Grit. He is the only actor that appears every year on Harris Poll's list of America's Top 10 favorite actors since 1994.

The special one night screening of 1969’s True Grit stars John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper. This Paramount Picture Film was directed by Henry Hathaway and music score by Elmer Bernstein. This years’ Jules Verne Festival is being sponsored by Land Rover.

NOV 10 @ 7pm - General admission: $25 / VIP tickets: $45

INFO & TICKETS AVAILABLE AT WWW.JULESVERNE.ORG

ETHEREAL VOICED SINGER, SONGWRITER AND PIANIST SHAUNA BURNS PUTS A COMPELLING FOLK-ROCK CELTIC TWIST ON SEASONAL FAVORITES WITH HER NEW RELEASE, “A W

2011-10-13T11:26:00.001-07:00

One of the most dynamic and critically acclaimed multi-talents on today’s indie music scene, singer songwriter Shauna Burns continues on a spiritually driven musical adventure that blossomed on her breakthrough 2008 recording The Moon and The Fire Circle and continued on 2009’s Anamnesis EP.

Inviting longtime fans and newcomers alike to celebrate the holiday season, Burns describes her latest musical venture, the Celtic flavored A Winter Gathering, as a new journey for her—a collection of newfangled carols and original songs performed by her with her husband, drummer James Clark (who also co-produces) and guest performers Caroline Kemper (Celtic harp), Rick Kemper (Uilleann pipes & pennywhistle), Lindsey Springer (cello), Ryan Whyte Maloney (guitar, backing vocals) and a five piece vocal choir.

Bringing unique new elements and sounds to her trademark style, Burns offers new twists to classic songs like “Carol of the Bells,” “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” and “Silent Night” and includes three short original “breath point” pieces she calls “Songscapes.” She includes “White Christmas” as a tribute to her mother Joyce (who always played and sang it at holiday times when Burns was growing up) and also a compelling rendition of Clark’s favorite song “What A Wonderful World.”

The singer describes the concept this way: “Winter Star,” the first “songscape,” is the star in the East that the shepherds see in “The First Noel”; Burns sings Gaelic words that speak about this bright new presence. The star travels through the other songs starting with “Carol of the Bells,” descends to earth in “White Christmas” through fire and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” through desert. “Luma,” the second songscape, is loosely based on “Ave Maria” and represents the “light” breath. Silent Night” holds the grounding axis of the album with its everlasting melody and frequency. “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” holds the place of the strong anchor.

“The Gathering,” the third songscape, “gathers” the songs, family and friends near and leads the listener into “What a Wonderful World,” the resolution. Speaking whimsically, Burns considers the instrumental versions of “Carol of the Bells” and “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” as the end as “little cherries on top.”

The Las Vegas based singer’s blend of ethereal vocals and sweeping piano and percussion driven atmospheres launched her early singles “Pink Girl” and “Petunia” to major success in the Triple AAA radio format. “Pink Girl” was also chosen as the #1 indie single from the MAACP Radio show. Burns’ debut album Every Thought, which Smother.net declared “a newfangled fusion that will ignite a spark that will be hard to replicate,” was also selected as one of the Top CDs of 2005 by Collected Sounds, a popular taste making website celebrating independent musicians. It was chosen for “Best of the Batch” from the Music Industry News Network and featured on TowerPod.com, Indie-Music.com, Billboard, VH1, Artist Direct, AOL Music and Fox TV, among other outlets.

The Moon and the Fire Circle, a richly thematic and ultimately healing work that offered an emotional bridge between darkness and light, met with similar success. Its first single “Around You” reached #7 on the FMQB AC Chart, was one of WCH Radio’s “Top Songs for 2008” and hit #1 on “Song Vault Radio.” The collection was selected “Best of 2008” by Collected Sounds and The Promise Live. Radio Crystal Blue also chose Burns as one of the “Top Recording Artists of the Year 2008.” Conceived as an extension of the music on The Moon and the Fire Circle, Burns’ follow-up five track EP Anamnesis included songs that relate in some way to each of the five senses (including “Smell”).

Over the past few years, Burns has enchanted audiences at clubs and Borders Stores across the U.S. and in the U.K. (where she toured early in 2007) with songs from her debut and its follow-up five song EP Desert Tune, which featured songs that overflowed from the first album’s sessions. Her first tour in support of her debut was 40 dates and she embarked on a subsequent jaunt of 20 dates from coast to coast during the summer and fall of 2007. The success of The Moon and the Fire Circle—and its vibe of folk rock with Celtic influences--opened up exciting new opportunities on the festival circuit. She has performed at Renaissance Fairs in Utah and Texas; the Phoenix Faerie Festival; Green Girl Music and Arts Festival in Las Vegas; Celtic Festival in Texas; and Medieval Mayhem in Show Low, Arizona.

Shauna Burns on the web:

Official Artist Website: http://www.shaunaburns.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shaunaburnsmusic

Twitter: http://twitter.com/shaunaburns

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/shaunaburns

TOBY KEITH DECLARES NATIONAL MEZCAL DAY OCT. 21

2011-10-13T10:37:00.001-07:00

Countdown Clock, Drink Specials, Contest, Recipes & More Planned

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Toby Keith recently topped the charts again ... with his signature spirit Wild Shot, which was named the No. 1 premium mezcal in the U.S. So it's no coincidence that Wild Shot is leading the charge for National Mezcal Day, planned for Oct. 21, which just happens to be the Friday prior to his upcoming album release.

The campaign includes a countdown clock posted at www.wildshot.com, and it's all leading up to a big Friday of special drinks, promotions and fun. For those fans who really get into the spirit (pun intended), a contest is offering autographed copies of the new disc, Clancy's Tavern, to the most active Wild Shot Facebook and Twitter contributors. The effort is underway now through Oct. 22.

As for the big day itself, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill restaurants will offer Wild Shot drink specials (Boston excluded because of local ordinance). Many of those beverages are likely to be the Blue Mezcalita, which is the most popular Wild Shot drink offered at Keith's establishments.

More than a few Wild Shot purchasers want to know how the man whose name is on the label takes his mezcal. The answer: Straight from the freezer as Wild Shot takes on a syrupy texture that makes it great for sipping. And, as you'd expect from drinks distilled in different ways from the agave plant, Wild Shot is an excellent substitute in any cocktail that calls for tequila.

While many-a-glass will be raised on National Mezcal Day, you can bet a few toasts will be thrown out the following Monday, too, as Clancy's Tavern hits stores around the world Oct. 24. The collection's first single, "Made In America," recently hit No. 1 on all the major charts and has become one of the fastest rising releases of his career. Keith's international tour in support of the album release kicks off in late October.

JOURNEY’S GREATEST HITS VOL. 2 SPANS HIT SINGLES, ALBUM TRACKS AND RARITIES FROM 1978 TO 1996

2011-10-05T15:51:00.000-07:00

Journey’s Enduring Appeal Is Affirmed Everywhere From Rock Band

To The Sopranos, from Broadway’s Rock Of Ages to Television’s Glee

CD and gatefold double 180-gram virgin vinyl edition of GREATEST HITS VOL. 2 – AND gatefold double 180-gram virgin vinyl edition of original GREATEST HITS – available everywhere starting November 1, 2011

GREATEST HITS VOL. 2, a brand-new collection of original recordings by the mega-platinum band Journey will be available as a single CD, digital download, and special gatefold double-vinyl edition (which includes a code for a free digital download of the vinyl remastered album), available starting November 1, 2011. This new package from Columbia/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, spans singles and album tracks recorded between 1978 and 1996.

Journey’s original Greatest Hits collection is one of the top-selling American rock albums of all time with worldwide sales in excess of 25 million. In conjunction with the double-LP version of GREATEST HITS VOL. 2, the original Greatest Hits will also be issued as a gatefold double-vinyl edition on the same date, November 1 (which also includes a code for a free digital download of the vinyl remastered album).

Journey, founded by guitar virtuoso Neal Schon in 1973, has achieved iconic pop culture status that has earned the band cumulative sales of more than 62 million albums, singles, and digital tracks in the U.S. alone. Their enduring appeal is affirmed everywhere from Rock Band to Tony Soprano’s musical daydreams on HBO’s The Sopranos, from Broadway’s Rock Of Ages to FOX’s Family Guy. Most notably, the cast of Glee celebrated Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” on the series premiere episode of 2009. The kids later paid homage with three songs on 2010’s Journey to Regionals (“Faithfully,” the medley of “Any Way You Want It / Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin’,” and the new Regionals version of “Don’t Stop Believin’”).

When asked about his experience in the remastering back to vinyl of the original recordings of the Journey Greatest Hits and the new GREATEST HITS VOL. 2, Steve Perry replied, “I truly forgot how sonically exciting and just plain better these Journey tracks sound back where they originally lived…on Vinyl. The stereo separation, the center imaging and the sonic depth of the tracks themselves is more true to what we all loved about these original final mixes. All the instruments and voices, to me personally, sound so damn good that all I want to do is reach for the volume and turn it up!”

“I’m very excited to be releasing this compilation,” said Neal Schon. “Many of these songs were written in our earlier days by Steve Perry and myself, and hearing them again brings back great memories. “Little Girl” has an extra special meaning for me because it’s one of the songs my father, who worked with us for many years, worked on with us. All our songs have stood the test of time, and I hope our fans will enjoy this collection.”

Jonathan Cain added, “Escape was my first album with Journey in 1981 and I never looked back. A lot of the songs in those days were in pieces -- like a puzzle to figure out. The connection we had was magic - and like a Super Bowl team - we always found a way to get it right."

Covering 18 central years in the Journey saga, GREATEST HITS VOL. 2 includes tracks from the band’s fourth album, Infinity (1978), produced by Roy Thomas Baker, which marked the entry of Steve Perry’s distinctive lead vocals into the lineup (“Feeling That Way,” “Anytime,” “Patiently”).

Their next album, Evolution (1979) was also produced by Baker and features “Just The Same Way”. Departure (1980) was the first of seven consecutive studio albums by Journey to reach the Top 10, and platinum or multi-platinum, over the next 16 years (“Walks Like A Lady,” “Good Morning Girl,” “Stay Awhile”).

One of the cornerstone bands in radio’s new Album Rock format, Journey’s popularity was so overwhelming that they were able to release a single from their double-LP concert set, Captured (1981). “The Party's Over (Hopelessly In Love)” broke inside the Top 40, and was the #2 song on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart.

Journey’s hold on the charts continued with Escape (1981), the band’s first #1 album. Escape spent nearly three years on Billboard’s Top 200 chart and produced four hit singles - “Who’s Crying Now,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Open Arms” (all on Greatest Hits) and “Still They Ride” along with the rock staples, “Stone In Love,” “Mother, Father” and the title track “Escape” (all on GREATEST HITS VOL. 2).

Escape was produced by Mike Stone (Queen, Kiss, America and others) and Kevin Elson, who went on to produce the next album, Frontiers (1983). Frontiers (“After The Fall,” “Chain Reaction”) debuted the week before Michael Jackson’s Thriller hit #1 – thus the LP had the distinction of being one of many albums to occupy the #2 spot (for nine weeks) during Thriller’s reign at the top.

Raised On Radio was released in 1986, featuring an assortment of top studio musicians including noted jazz-funk-R&B bassist Randy Jackson (of American Idol) who went on to tour with Journey through 1987. Raised On Radio was another double-platinum album for Journey, spending 67 weeks on the album chart, and spinning off the Top 20 hit “Suzanne.”

In 1992, Journey became one of the first American rock bands to release a deluxe multi-CD box set, Time3. Comprised mostly of hit singles and key album tracks from the band’s first dozen albums, Time3 also contained a number of previously unreleased tracks and rarities. Among these was “Little Girl,” from the original motion picture soundtrack of Dream After Dream, an obscure foreign film whose entire score was performed by Journey, issued on Columbia in 1980.

A Journey reunion took place in the ’90s, and the recording of Trial By Fire (1996) was the result, with Steve Perry, Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory, and Steve Smith all on-board for their first album together since Frontiers. Featuring “When I Think Of You,” Trial By Fire rose to #3 and continued Journey’s platinum streak.

GREATEST HITS VOL. 2 wraps up with a live concert version of “Mother, Father” - a highlight of Live In Houston 1981 - Escape Tour, a Columbia/Legacy archive release in 2005 which featured both video and audio versions of the same 75-minute program.

As Rolling Stone contributing editor David Wild wrote, “Whether on the radio or on some stage, these well-built tunes remain sturdy crowd pleasers to this very day, in their second century of airplay. Some DJ is playing a Journey song somewhere right now and many more are out there singing along – you can bet on it.”

GREATEST HITS VOL. 2 by JOURNEY (Columbia/Legacy 88697 77986 2)

Selections:

1. Stone In Love

• 2. After The Fall

• 3. Chain Reaction

• 4. The Party's Over (Hopelessly In Love)

• 5. Escape

• 6. Still They Ride

• 7. Good Morning Girl

• 8. Stay Awhile

• 9. Suzanne

• 10. Feeling That Way

• 11. Anytime

• 12. Walks Like A Lady

• 13. Little Girl

• 14. Just The Same Way

• 15. Patiently

• 16. When I Think Of You

• 17. Mother, Father (Live In Houston, 1981).

Greatest Hits Vol. 2 vinyl and CD meticulously remastered to vinyl by Robert Hadley and Steve Perry at The Mastering Lab in Ojai, CA.  Greatest Hits Vol. 1 vinyl meticulously remastered to vinyl by Doug Sax, Robert Hadley and Steve Perry at The Mastering Lab in Ojai, CA.

LEGACY RECORDINGS AND POPMARKET.COM KICKSTART HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING WITH THE NEW LINEUP OF THE COMPLETE ALBUMS COLLECTIONS

2011-09-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

NEWLY CREATED BOXED SETS OF ORIGINAL ALBUMS BY

ELO, EARTH, WIND & FIRE, DEXTER GORDON,

NINA SIMONE, CHEAP TRICK AND MORE

ALL AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT POPMARKET.COM

BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 13

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Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is giving music fans early inspiration for the holiday shopping season this year, announcing a great assortment of iconic jazz, pop, rock, blues and soul artists to be showcased in the next round of The Complete Albums Collections, a new product line for serious listeners offering new releases throughout the year available exclusively through PopMarket.com. Newly designed box sets containing the original album catalogs of Sony Music Artists have been created especially for The Complete Albums Collections line and will be available starting September 13, just in time for the 2011 holiday season. The diverse lineup of artists being featured includes: ELO, Earth, Wind & Fire, Dexter Gordon, Woody Shaw, Nina Simone, Paul Desmond, Leonard Cohen, Wynton Marsalis, Billie Holiday, Judas Priest, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Harry Nilsson, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather report and Taj Mahal.

Each of the sets offers music fans and collectors the chance to own complete official discographies of classic albums on CD (with many out of print and rare titles finally available). Individual discs come sleeved in 5x5 mini-jacket reproductions of the original album cover art alongside a stand-alone booklet with discographic information and photos, all housed in a beautifully packaged clamshell box. The Complete Albums Collections will showcase a diverse selection of iconic artists each month, offering fans and collectors a rare opportunity to own complete classic discographies on CD (with bonus tracks and rarities).

The Complete Albums Collections are available exclusively on PopMarket.com, the first online daily deals site created for music fans by Sony Music Entertainment. PopMarket offers the hottest daily deals on premium music, rare collectible albums, boxed sets and memorabilia. Free PopMarket.com membership gives music fans unprecedented access to hot deals on the coolest music.

* * * * *

SEPTEMBER 13 - ELO — The Classic Albums Collection $79.99 England's Electric Light Orchestra, better known to its fans as ELO, went from cult status to arena-level superstardom in the 1970s, evolving from eclectic classically-influenced prog-rockers to state-of-the-art hitmakers. At the peak of their popularity, they were one of the world's biggest-selling recording acts, and also one of the most unusual. Combining rock instrumentation with a full string section, ELO couldn't help but stand out, both musically and visually. Each album features rare bonus tracks, including numerous alternate versions and unreleased tracks, and includes such enduring ELO hits as "Can't Get It Out of My Head," "Evil Woman," "Telephone Line," "Livin' Thing," "Sweet Talkin' Woman," "Mr. Blue Sky," "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Hold on Tight."

SEPTEMBER 13 - EARTH, WIND & FIRE — The Columbia Masters (15 CDs) $119.99

15 newly mastered CD encompassing their astonishing recording career on Columbia Records plus a bonus disc of rarities, instrumentals and unreleased tracks supervised by EW&F’s founder and spiritual guide Maurice White. Earth, Wind & Fire's horn-powered hit machine represents the best in pop melodies, harmonizing voices, funky syncopation and rhythms of the world. The set includes:15 of the band's classic albums, newly mastered for superior sound, original LP jackets, meticulously reproduced, a 40-page booklet with photos and commentary by Maurice White. The Columbia Masters also features a newly compiled bonus disk with two unreleased tracks from the Touch the World sessions, two scintillating live performances ("Getaway" and "In the Stone") recorded in Rio de Janeiro in 1980 and rare instrumental versions of "Let's Groove" and "Boogie Wonderland" (with The Emotions).

SEPTEMBER 13 - The Complete Dexter Gordon Columbia Albums Collection (7 CDs) $55.99

“There are no second acts in American lives” wrote F. Scott Fitzgerald, a man who never would have put those words to paper had he lived to see Dexter Gordon’s triumphant late career revival. Actually, the great tenor saxophonist had a number of “second acts” during his lifetime. Yet the late 1980’s flourish that found Gordon (1923-1990) an international star and an Oscar nominee could hardly be topped for a dramatic finale. With a remarkable career spanning over five decades, Gordon may have come of age in the Swing Era, but he made his mark during the subsequent rise of bebop, translating Charlie Parker’s revolutionary rhythmic and harmonic language to the tenor saxophone. In 1976, Gordon was signed by Columbia Records following several years in Europe, who documented him on the celebratory Homecoming: Live At The Village Vanguard. Gordon’s ultra hip manner and regal bearing made him a natural for films, and in 1986, he starred in Round Midnight in a role loosely based on both Bud Powell and Lester Young, ultimately garnering a deserving Academy Award nomination.

SEPTEMBER 13 - The Complete Woody Shaw Columbia Albums Collection (6 CDs) $55.99

Encountering the name Woody Shaw (1944-1989) in print or conversation, it’s not uncommon for a phrase much like “ the last original trumpet voice” to follow. For Shaw was just such a player: a daring horn stylist with an utterly personal and technically advanced approach that has yet to be matched since his untimely death. After a memorable stint with the hard bop maestro, Horace Silver, Shaw leaped head first towards the post bop firmament, collaborating with such visionary player/composers as Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Andrew Hill, and Larry Young. On such landmark Columbia albums as Woody lll and For Sure! -- projects that represented a career peak for Shaw in terms of both personal creativity and commercial exposure -- his impressive compositions and arranging skills for expanded ensembles are brought to the fore. Let Miles Davis have the last word about Shaw: “Now there's a great trumpet player. He can play different from all of them."

SEPTEMBER 22- The Complete Nina Simone RCA Albums Collection (9 CDs) $71.99

As unclassifiable as she was forthright, Nina Simone (1933-2003) went her own way; it was up to her devoted audience to keep pace with her stylistic wanderings. Defiantly outspoken and willfully eclectic in her music, Simone electrified listeners with artfully intense performances.

SEPTEMBER 27 - The Complete Paul Desmond RCA Albums Collection (6 CDS) $55.99

For the bulk of the 1950s and 60’s, Paul Desmond had one of the sweetest gigs in jazz history. As the featured alto saxophonist in the Dave Brubeck quartet, Desmond was a central figure in the most commercially successful jazz ensemble of the time. The sole horn in the group, Desmond attracted considerable critical and public acclaim for his supremely lyrical, sublimely melodic playing. His dulcet phrases couched in what he himself dubbed a “dry martini” tone, Desmond’s alto was a defining sound of the era.

NOVEMBER 22 - The Complete Weather Report / The Jaco Years Columbia Albums Collection (6 CDs) $55.99

Rarely has an individual player so radically transformed an already established band as Jaco Pastorius (1951-1987) did upon joining Weather Report in 1976. Not only did the electric bassist set a new direction for the band, leading it to unprecedented commercial success, he also rewrote the rules for his instrumentHis work with Weather Report is among the very finest of his truncated career. It may be a long while before we encounter the likes of a musical unit such as Weather Report, or an audaciously brilliant player akin to Pastorius, again.

NOVEMBER 22- The Complete Original Mahavishnu Orchestra Columbia Albums Collection (5 CDs)

$44.99

The Mahavishnu Orchestra, in its original incarnation, lasted just four years, but in that brief time, the pioneering quintet set both the template and the high-water mark for fusion music. No band ever rocked as hard in a jazzy place as guitarist John McLaughlin’s charging ensemble.

www.popmarket.com

Hidden Beach Signs Jazz Legend Ramsey Lewis

2011-09-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

Hidden Beach SignsJazz Legend Ramsey Lewis

“Ramsey, Taking Another Look”

slated for release September20, 2011

September 8, 2011 (Los Angeles, CA)

Los Angeles based boutique labelHidden Beach Recordings announced earlier this month the signing of legendaryjazz pianist Ramsey Lewis. The three time Grammy® winner who rose to prominencein the early 1970’s will release his 80th collection on September 20, 2011entitled Ramsey, Taking Another Look., On the ten song CD Lewis and his Electric Band breathe new life into many of Lewis’favorite tunes including a newrendition of the Stevie Wonderpenned “Living for the City” and a new edit of the original “Sun Goddess”recording featuring Earth, Wind & Fire.

“We are thrilled to have forged this partnership with such a legendaryJazz icon as Ramsey Lewis and his Mapenzi Recording family. From hiscontemporary Jazz explorations in the seventies all the way to the Orchestral pieces currently featured on PBS, RamseyLewis remains as relevant today as ever. We are excited to be bringing thismusic to market.” Stated Steve McKeever, Hidden Beach CEO

"Iam glad to join Steve McKeever, a fellow Chicagoan, and the Hidden Beach familyto release Ramsey, Taking Another Look. Hidden Beach is known for it'scommitment to excellence in music and respect for artistry, a unique positionin today's music landscape." Stated Ramsey Lewis.

“Living for the City” will beaccompanied by a music video created at Chicago’s Tribeca Flashpoint Media ArtsAcademy, with Film & Broadcast and Recording Arts students taking the leadon production. Featuring anenergetic performance by Ramsey Lewis and his Electric Band, the clipcelebrates the visual vibrancy of Chicago at night time.

A noted advocate for Steinwaypianos, Ramsey, Taking Another Look represents Lewis’ first return toplaying the Fender Rhodes piano in Fifteen years.

Ramsey Lewis on Ramsey, TakingAnother Look

"Theidea of the electric quintet came up and having played mostly in an acoustictrio arrangement for twelve-fifteen years, I decided to get together with theguys to see how it felt. The rehearsals went so well that I called in myengineer, Danny Leake and my producer/son, Frayne Lewis to come in and rolltape. I've recorded maybe 65-70 albums, and this album is definitely among thetop five."

About Hidden Beach

Hidden Beach is an American independent record label and entertainment company specializing in Urban Alternative,R&B, Soul, Inspirational and Contemporary Jazz music genres. Hidden Beachwas formed in 1998 as the vision of its founder and Chief Executive Officer,Steve McKeever and currently holds a distribution deal with Universal Music Distribution Group. In addition to acatalog that includes Jill Scott, The Unwrapped series, Darius Rucker, Kindredthe Family Soul, Dr. Cornel West and BeBe Winans, artists currently signed toHidden Beach include Mike Phillips, Naturally 7, Glen Scott, The Tony RichProject and Ramsey Lewis.

AboutTribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy

TribecaFlashpoint Media Arts Academy, a two-year, high-end digital media college inChicago’s Loop, offers nationally accredited, full-time Associate’s degreeprograms in five digital media disciplines; Film & Broadcast, RecordingArts, Animation & Visual Effects, Game & Interactive Media, and (newlyannounced for Fall 2011) Design & Visual Communication.

www.tfa.edu

www.HiddenBeach.com

www.RamseyLewis.com

Natalie Walker Covers Smashing Pumpkins With "Galapogos"

2011-08-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

Natalie Walker recently covered the Smashing Pumpkins song "Galapogos"! Watch the video below and let us know what you think.

It's on her recently released album "Spark" which is available on iTunes here:

Australian Pop Star Guy Sebastian Reunites with Extra TV Co-Host and Friend from Down Under, Renee Bargh, at The Grove in Los Angeles

2011-08-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

Australian Pop icon Guy Sebastian, who recently debuted his infectious single “Who’s That Girl” featuring Eve in the U.S., reunited with his fellow Aussie friend and Extra TV co-host Renee Bargh on August 15 at The Grove in Los Angeles.

Also serving as a judge on X Factor Australia, Sebastian swooned new and long-time fans with a live acoustic performance of “Who’s That Girl” (including Eve’s rap!), then caught up with Bargh for an exclusive interview for Extra TV (check local listings).

As he made his debut stateside this summer, Sebastian’s single went 4x platinum in Australia, making it the third highest selling single in the country’s history. It was also top selling song in 2010, and reached #1 on the New Zealand singles chart.

Sebastian stopped by celebrity blogger Perez Hilton’s studio recently for a performance of the hit song, and is set to film later this month with Beta Records TV.

Earlier this summer, Sebastian began his U.S. promotion in NYC with visits to the “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show” on Z100, Sirius XM Radio, Billboard Magazine, and the offices of GOOM Live.

Known for his dedication to numerous causes and charities, the multi-talented artist recently showed his support for the Somaly Mam Foundation at the L.A. launch party at SLS Hotel hosted by actress AnnaLynne McCord. The organization aims to raise awareness and money for victims of sex trafficking.
For the latest music and news on Guy Sebastian, visit www.guysebastian.com.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Welcomes Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart for a Special Legends Series Program

2011-08-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

CLEVELAND (August 9, 2011) - The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is pleased to welcome Ann and Nancy Wilson, front women of rock band Heart, for a special Legends Series interview on Tuesday, August 23 at 7 p.m. in the Rock Hall’s Foster Theater.

Ann and Nancy Wilson will be interviewed by the Rock Hall’s Vice President of Education and Public Programs Dr. Lauren Onkey. Questions will be taken from the audience at the end of the interview, followed by a live performance of a selection of acoustic songs. This event is free with a reservation, however seating is limited. RSVPs will be accepted starting at 10amEST on Thursday, August 11. Please email edu@rockhall.org or call (216) 515-8426 to RSVP. This event will be live streamed on rockhall.com.

Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson first showed the world that women can rock when their band, Heart, stormed the charts in the 1970s with hits like “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Straight On” and many more. Although they got their start in Seattle and have since become internationally known, Ann and Nancy owe much of their success to Hollywood, their home when recording songs at the landmark Capitol Records building that earned them their first string of #1 singles and the city where they filmed all of their music videos. Not only did the Wilson sisters lead the band, they wrote the songs and played their own instruments, too.

Heart continued topping the charts through the 80s and 90s with hits like “These Dreams,” “Alone,” “What About Love,” “If Looks Could Kill,” “Never,” and a string of other hits that showcased the sisters’ talents as musicians and singers. Nearly 35 years after their first big hit, Ann and Nancy Wilson were back in the Billboard Top 10 in 2010 with Heart’s “Red Velvet Car” album, and a Top 5 DVD, Night at Sky Church.

Music by Ann and Nancy Wilson and Heart has sold more than 35 million albums, sold out arenas worldwide, and has been utilized in movie soundtracks and ad campaigns, continuing to grasp audiences across the globe through various mediums.

Ann and Nancy Wilson are featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s latest special exhibit, Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power, the world’s first major museum exhibit devoted to celebrating the female spirit in rock and roll. Highlighted in the I Will Survive: the 1970s – Rockers to Disco Divas era of the exhibition, Heart artifacts include Ann Wilson’s dress (c. 1976) worn on tour after the release of Heart’s debut album, Dreamboat Annie; Nancy Wilson’s dress from the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in 1977; Nancy’s Kramer American Series electric guitar (c. 1987) played on the group’s 1988 Bad Animals tour and more.

Ann and Nancy Wilson will also be featured in PBS Arts from Cleveland: Women Who Rock (airing Friday November 18 at 9 p.m. on PBS stations nationwide; in Northeast Ohio, tune in to WVIZ/PBS. From Bessie Smith to Janis Joplin to Lady Gaga, this performance documentary vibrates with energy as it traces the indelible mark that amazing women musicians have made on America’s soundtrack. Inspired by the “Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power” exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Women Who Rock reveals new insights into what it means to be female in the male-dominated world of rock and roll, while exploring how those dynamics between the sexes have changed with time. The film is produced by Susan Wittenberg and Carol Stein with assistance from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The evening’s presentation is in collaboration with PBS member station WVIZ/PBS ideastream®.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has FREE educational offerings year round. Additional adult education programs include From Songwriters to Soundmen: The People Behind the Hits, which gives audiences an inside look at aspects of the music business that are often concealed from view, and Rock and Roll Night School, which gives interested adults the opportunity to expand their rock and roll-related knowledge.

For more information about these and other Rock Hall educational programs, visit www.rockhall.com/education.

About Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has opened a groundbreaking and provocative new exhibit that illustrates the important roles women have played in rock and roll, from its inception through today. Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power highlights the flashpoints, the firsts, the best, the celebrated -- and sometimes lesser-known women -- who moved rock and roll music and American culture forward.

The interactive exhibition spotlights more than 70 artists and fills two entire floors of the museum. The exhibit features artifacts, video and listening stations, as well as a recording booth where visitors can film a short story or moment of inspiration related to women in rock. The exhibit moves through the rock and roll eras, weaving a powerful and engaging narrative that demonstrates how women have been the engines of creation and change in popular music, from the early years of the 20th century to the present. Women Who Rock is sponsored by PNC, Time Warner Cable and Biography.

For more information, visit http://rockhall.com/exhibits/women-who-rock.

About the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. is the nonprofit organization that exists to educate visitors, fans and scholars from around the world about the history and continuing significance of rock and roll music. It carries out this mission through its operation of a world-class museum that collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets this art form and through its library and archives as well as its educational programs.

The Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Wednesdays (and Saturdays through Labor Day), the Museum is open until 9 p.m. Museum admission is $22 for adults, $18 for adult residents of Greater Cleveland, $17 for seniors (65+), $13 for youth (9-12), children under 8 and Museum Members are always free, for information or to join the membership program call 216.515.8425. For general inquiries, please call 216.781.ROCK(7625) or visit www.rockhall.com . The Museum is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.

Tyrone Vaughan Builds Country Impact From Family Style & Roots

2011-08-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

(Austin, TX) Singer, songwriter and guitarist Tyrone Vaughan is making waves and sparking a buzz as a hot country music newcomer. Thanks to a sound that’s true to the tradition yet right up to date, Vaughan brings a famed family legacy as well as deep roots to his sound. The positive initial response to his first single, “Downtime,” is setting the stage for his full debut album of the same name coming in early 2012.

Vaughan grew up surrounded by music, and was the guitarist for a successful and popular Texas indie band, Breedlove, before striking out on his own as a country artist in the style that inspired him and felt like his musical home. The son of blues guitar hero Jimmie Vaughan and nephew of musical icon Stevie Ray Vaughan, he brings to his music the same famed electric six-string talents that made them stars. He then adds to that his muscular vocals and a gift for composing catchy songs fashioned from the stuff of real life, and already boasts a number he wrote that was covered by his father on his Grammy winning album Do You Get The Blues? Tyrone’s family background also includes a maternal grandfather who was a country bandleader and paternal grandparents who were avid country fans and hoped their two guitar-playing sons would embrace that style. Now he draws from all that plus his youth listening to the extensive album collection of the stepfather who raised him.

The results are red-hot and real country that has been greeted with enthusiasm by country radio programmers and air personalities he met at the recent CRS 2011 gathering of broadcasters in Nashville and as he has taken his “Downtime” single personally to stations and played for them as well as their listeners. His debut video for the song has been rapidly adding views daily on YouTube to surpass 17,000 plays while he still remains a new act that country fans are just beginning to discover.

On his radio tour Vaughan has been wowing those who hear him at every stop with a high powered acoustic mini-show that include the instrumental prowess of his guitarist and banjo player Will Knaak and fiddler Jerry Reynolds. Later this year he hits the road for concerts with his full band whose powerful performances have already earned him standing ovations at select preview dates.

“Downtime” offers relief from the summer heat with its celebration of good times away from the 9 to 5 working grind. The Downtime album features nine more energetic and winning tracks that meld his populist sensibility with a personal touch that range from rocking contemporary country to updated old school roots to big arm-waving balladry.

“From the moment I decided to not just play guitar and make my mark as a fully rounded artist who sings, write songs, and performs with a band that can do it all, country music was the style where it all felt natural,” Vaughan explains. The music industry professionals he has met in recent months have expressed excitement as a member of one of the first families of electric guitar conquers new artistic and stylistic territory. With the name Vaughan already known to millions of music lovers worldwide as a trademark for dynamic music that’s true to the roots as it progresses the music forward, many more are sure to follow as Tyrone makes a mark all his own and expands the family style.

Tyrone Vaughan radio tour:

8/3 KIIM Tucson, AZ

8/3 KNIX Phoenix, AZ

8/4KMLE Phoenix, AZ

8/9WMAD Madison, WI

8/9WWQM Madison, WI

8/9WMIL Milwaukee, WI

8/10 WQHK Ft. Wayne, IN

8/10 WLHK Indianapolis, IN

Toby Keith's Mezcal Takes To The World Wild Web- Wild Shot Site Offers Interaction, Recipes, Fan Photos & More

2011-08-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

(OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.) The website for Toby Keith's Wild Shot Mezcal has launched at www.wildshot.com, ushering the storied Mexican spirit into a brave new world. Momentum for Keith's signature brand is growing alongside that of the drink in general, with the New York Times recently raving about mezcal's "star turn."

Music fans, mezcal drinkers and especially those who are both can now learn its colorful history, discover recipes (see below) and submit photos of themselves with their own bottle of Wild Shot. Special posting preferences are given to those submissions that picture someone chomping on the famous worm included in each bottle.

"Blame It On The Worm" is Wild Shot's slogan, and the image of Toby himself with a worm pinched between smiling teeth adorns the site's homepage. Wild Shot Mezcal comes in Silver and Reposado variations. Distributed nationwide and available at all of Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill locations, Wild Shot is quickly becoming a leading brand in one of the fastest growing beverage market segments.

And it is but one more successful endeavor for Keith, who just announced the Oct. 25 global release of his next album Clancy's Tavern. The album's first single "Made In America" is on the verge of Top 10 just a few short weeks after its radio debut. Meanwhile, Keith continues on his Ford F-Series sponsored Locked & Loaded Tour, performing coast-to-coast for standing-room-only crowds.

Frozen Blue Mezcalita:
1.5 oz. Wild Shot Silver
1 oz. Patron Citronge
Splash of Blue Curacao
8-10 oz. margarita mix
Add to ice and blend
Salt Rim

NEW CD FROM RAY MANZAREK AND ROY ROGERS, “TRANSLUCENT BLUES” NOW AVAILABLE!

2011-07-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

Blind Pig Records has released a new album from Ray Manzarek, co-founder and keyboardist of The Doors, and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Roy Rogers, world renowned slide guitar master and Grammy winning producer. The CD, entitled Translucent Blues was released in May of 2011.

The release is a hard driving blues/rock project with influences from blues, rock
and jazz and lyrics that include tinges of poetry and literature. A contemporary
recording with soul, intensity and creative energy, the album features songs with
multi-layered arrangements, solid driving grooves and stylistic depth. They are
energetic and strong - with music and lyric collaborations from Manzarek and
Rogers, and lyric contributions from the likes of Warren Zevon, Jim Carroll and
poet Michael McClure.

Ray Manzarek said of the album, "This is a head-first dive into American
contemporary Blues. Roy and I take the unique art form of the Blues and add a
21st century twist to the genre. We are working with a group of great American
poets: Michael McClure, famed beat and close friend of Jack Kerouac and
Alan Ginsburg; Jim Carroll of 'The Basketball Diaries' fame; Warren Zevon - the
'Werewolf of London' himself; Michael C. Ford, noted L.A. jazz poet and good
friend of Jim Morrison's; and Scott Richardson, blues rocker of Michigan's 'The
Scott Richardson Case' and now a California seeker of ultimate mystical
experiences. Their lyrics are superb, succinct, now, and salient. What Roy and I
have weaved around their words are songs that are not standard 12 bar, but do, in
fact, live and breathe in the dark, underground world... of the Blues! 'Translucent
Blues'"

Roy Rogers added, "This collaboration with Ray was a joy from start to finish.
We found inspiration not only from the music and lyrics, but most of all from
each other--to create a great sound. To me, the blues is as complex a music
as it gets--either you feel it or you don't. But when you add the spice of some
of these lyrics, it definitely takes you on a different route. Take a ride with us."

‘WHO’S THAT GIRL,’ - THE DEBUT U.S. SINGLE (FEATURING EVE) BY THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN IDOL WINNER AND PLATINUM SELLING SUPERSTAR DOWN UNDER

2011-07-14T12:44:00.001-07:00

The Multi-Talented Singer-Songwriter Recently Made a
Whirlwind Promotional Trip in NYC, Where He Appeared
On The ‘Elvis Duran And The Morning Show’ on Z100
and Stopped at Sirius XM, Billboard
and GOOM Live

 You’ve heard of the legendary British Invasion. Now get ready for the Australian Invasion, happening this summer as Guy Sebastian (www.guysebastian.com) – the first Australian Idol Winner and a platinum-selling superstar Down Under – makes his U.S. debut with “Who’s That Girl,” his infectious single featuring hip-hop star Eve that is now available on iTunes in the U.S.

Currently being promoted in various radio formats (Top 40, Hot AC and Rhythmic AC), the track is already a huge sensation in the multi-talented performer’s homeland, where it was the highest-selling Australian artist single of 2010 and the country’s third highest-selling single of all time, going four times platinum. It also reached #1 on the New Zealand singles chart.

Sebastian made a whirlwind promotional stop in New York City on June 23, talking up the single and introducing himself to stateside listeners with an interview on the “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show” on Z100, which is syndicated via Premiere Radio Networks to over 40 markets, including Philadelphia, Miami, Cleveland, Syracuse and Atlanta.

Sebastian’s bustling itinerary also included stops at Sirius XM Radio, Billboard Magazine, and the offices of GOOM Live, a radio style entertainment source for mobile and internet radio listeners that creates custom online radio brand solutions that give companies a music personality to connect with consumers in a unique way.

While U.S. audiences gear up for the American debut of Simon Cowell’s highly-anticipated “X-Factor” talent competition this fall, Sebastian will be appearing for the second season as a judge on the Australian version. The show is unique from Idol in that the judges—which in Australia, include pop star Natalie Imbruglia—help mentor competitors in multiple categories.

While “Who’s That Girl” and Sebastian’s upcoming EP are the first taste most Americans are getting of his music, the singer already has a rich creative history with numerous legends and contemporary music stars from the U.S. In addition to Richie and the M.G.’s, Sebastian wrote songs with Robin Thicke and Brian McKnight on his R&B oriented second album Beautiful Life, which featured a duet with American singer Mya (“Forever With You”).

His most recent studio recording Like It Like That has three songs featuring John Mayer on guitar and backing vocals, as well as the platinum selling single “Art of Love,” a duet with 2007 “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks.

TYRONE VAUGHAN HITS RADIO WITH "DOWNTIME" JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER

2011-06-30T10:01:00.001-07:00

First Single From September Debut Album by New Texan Country Artist

(Austin, TX) Everybody needs and enjoys a little "Downtime," especially in
the summer. And Tyrone Vaughan has the ideal soundtrack for good ole boys
and girls to "have a little fun" in the sun with his debut single from his
first album of the same name, due out in September.

"Downtime" tells all about "how it's done" when you need a break from the
working life. "The lyrics are what needs to be said right now," explains
Vaughan. "We're seeing some tough times economically. Things have changed
and people know it. So as the song says, the only thing that I need to keep
working that line is a little downtime."

The hot guitar lick that opens the song hints at part of Vaughan's musical
heritage as the son of Grammy winning bluesman Jimmie Vaughan and nephew of
musical legend Stevie Ray Vaughan. Also a native son of Texas, he was raised country music and the many roots styles that the state and its capital
Austin are known for. After making a name for himself packing clubs in his
hometown as well as Dallas and Houston and other locales as lead guitarist
and songwriter in the indie band Breedlove, Vaughan found his artistic sweet
spot singing and writing country music. He makes his dynamic debut on the
Downtime album, bringing along the family guitar legacy and mixing it up
with mandolin, steel and fiddle to create a down home contemporary country
sound with wide listener appeal.

The song "Downtime" started out with a guitar-based melody that Vaughan
wrote. "It was one of those that popped out in about 20 minutes," he
recalls. His songwriting collaborator Steve Young had the lyrical basics of
the chorus that fit the tune perfectly, and they fleshed out the verses. The
song hit full stride when Vaughan came up with the hook about how some
downtime keeps hard working people happy. Then he and his co-producer and
co-writer Steve Boudreau polished up the number and transformed it in the
studio into a rollicking country-rock celebration of good time fun.

"Downtime is an expression that I'd been hearing for a long time, and now
more than ever, people saying, hey, I'm gonna do this on my downtime," says
Vaughan. "Taking some downtime is what keeps us all sane and happy. All work
and no downtime is no fun at all.

"It's a playful tune, a blue collar good time song. But there's an important
aspect to it as well. What does the world need to hear right now? What needs
to be said? I don't mind working. I work hard but I need to play hard too.
That's something that everyone can relate to. I hang out, I play my guitar,
I ride in my truck, I've got my girl and my boys. That's life."

Vaughan won't have much downtime in the coming month as he and his band hit
the road soon to start promoting the single and the upcoming album Downtime.
But even when he's working on his music, he and his band play hard making
his energetically rocking country style. And "Downtime" is just what people
need to hear about during this year's summer vacation season.

MOBfest MOVES TO HARD ROCK HOTEL CHICAGO PROVIDES A MORE POWERFUL EVENT FOR CHICAGO’S MUSIC FANATICS

2011-06-16T09:40:00.001-07:00

CHICAGO (February 21, 2011) – MOBfest (Music Over Business Fest) lovers, there is no need to frolic around the city to check out good music anymore. Put your navigation systems away, the three day music conference will be held exclusively at the epicenter of rock, Hard Rock Hotel Chicago.

The deal, inked between Becker Entertainment and MOBfest founder Roger Jansen, brings together two companies long dedicated to epic music and creating awareness of new talent. Heading into its fifteenth year, MOBfest will celebrate Hard Rock style when over 5,000 music lovers take over Hard Rock Chicago during the three day bash. In true Hard Rock fashion, the Fender Ballroom and surrounding event space in Hard Rock Hotel Chicago will be transformed into the ultimate concert venue.
“This unique partnership will result in a higher profile for the 15th annual event and the local music community,” comments Roger Jansen, MOBfest founder. The Hard Rock brand provides an exciting new platform that brings added exposure to MOBfest. We are thrilled to be working with such a high profile organization that is equally music minded to bring the MOBfest experience to a new level,” he adds.

Relocating to Chicago’s musically inspired location; Hard Rock Hotel Chicago is thrilled to bring its signature guest experience to Chicago’s most successful music seminar. Located on Chicago’s famed Michigan Avenue, Hard Rock Hotel Chicago is the ideal locale to further promote and nurture the MOBfest and Hard Rock’s dedication to the evolving and distinctive needs of emerging talent who seek a shot at the big time.
“Hard Rock Hotel Chicago is ecstatic to be in partnership with Chicago’s preeminent music festival,” said Carrie Meghie, Executive Vice President of Becker Ventures/General Manager of Hard Rock Hotel Chicago. “This is a natural fit for our brand. We are honored to put the Mobfest mark on Hard Rock Hotel Chicago’s stage and we will be co-developing many exciting programs from this partnership. Hard Rock Hotel Chicago is looking forward to continuing their support of unsigned talent and it is our hope that our hotel will be the place where at least one of these bands gets its big break,” she adds.

June 23-25, 2011 are the dates set for MOBfest2011 and will feature three evenings of showcases and multiple educational seminars. During the three day event, bands can showcase their music in front of a distinguished group of industry executives giving young, unsigned bands the opportunity to play for a greater number of big wigs ranging from brand marketing specialists, advertising executives, managers, record label representatives and new fans, all looking to discover the next cool band to work with and support.
The price of admission is $10 each day. Price includes shows, parties at Angels & Kings Chicago, and the industry seminar.

For a $20 dollar handling fee, artists can submit their music for a potential showcase slot. The showcasing artists are then selected from the pool of submissions by a committee and music industry consultants. All selected artists get full access to the music business panels held on Saturday June 25. These panels are also open to the public.

TOBY KEITH ORDERS "MEZCAL FOR MY MEN ... " Wild Shot Thrown Back Nightly In "Beer For My Horses" Toast

2011-06-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) The multi-week No. 1 smash "Beer For My Horses" has been a staple of Toby Keith's standing-room-only live shows for years. And every night, the acclaimed entertainer raises a glass during the tune and toasts firefighters, soldiers and law enforcement. The inevitable question - "What are you drinking?" - can now be definitively answered. He's saluting those who serve with Toby Keith's Wild Shot Mezcal.

A chart-topping singer, songwriter and entertainer every year since his 1993 debut, Toby recently helped to create the new spirit, which is handcrafted from 100% green agave. "The tradition and history of Mezcal is magical to me, and dates back to 16th century warriors celebrating the defeat of their enemies," Keith says, a concept with clear parallels to "Beer For My Horses":

When the gun smoke settles we'll sing a victory tune
We'll all meet back at the local saloon
We'll raise up our glasses against evil forces...

Wild Shot will be imported by Shaw-Ross, a leading importer and marketer of fine wines and spirits.

Toby has been topping album and singles charts, with his self-composed songs having amassed more than an astounding 70 million airplay spins. The music he writes and records has become the foundation of a far-reaching entertainment empire, which now includes Wild Shot Mezcal. His current album Bullets In The Gun debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 and his single "Somewhere Else" is racing up the country charts.

No word on whether Keith's customary shot includes the bottle's worm.

Toby Keith's Locked & Loaded Tour Presented by Ford F-Series:

06.30.2011 Mt. Pleasant, MI Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort
07.01.2011 Milwaukee, WI Marcus Amphitheater at Summerfest
07.02.2011 Dauphin's Countryfest Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada
07.08.2011 Gilford, NH Meadowbrook U.S.Cellular Pavilion
07.09.2011 Bangor, ME Waterfront Park
07.10.2011 Cavendish, PEI, Canada Beach Music Festival
07.15.2011 Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center
07.16.2011 St. Clairsville, OH Jamboree In The Hills
07.21.2011 St. Augustine, FL St, Augustine Amphitheater
07.22.2011 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
07.23.2011 Virginia Beach, VA Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach
07.25.2011 Harrington, DE Delaware State Fair
07.29.2011 Minot, ND North Dakota State Fair
07.30.2011 Cheyenne, WY Cheyenne Frontier Days
07.31.2011 Camrose, Alberta, Canada Big Valley Jamboree XIX
08.04.2011 Sacramento, CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre
08.05.2011 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
08.06.2011 Las Vegas, NV Red Rock Casino Amphitheater
08.09.2011 Sturgis, SD Buffalo Chip
08.12.2011 San Diego, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
08.13.2011 Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
08.18.2011 Spokane, WA Northern Quest Resort and Casino
08.19.2011 Portland, OR Sleep Country Amphitheater
08.20.2011 Gorge, WA Gorge Amphitheater
08.31.2011 St. Paul, MN Minnesota State Fair
09.02.2011 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
09.03.2011 Pittsburgh, PA First Niagara Pavilion
09.04.2011 Darien Lake, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
09.08.2011 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts
09.09.2011 Philadelphia, PA Susquehanna Bank Center
09.10.2011 Washington, DC Jiffy Lube Live
09.14.2011 York, PA York Fair
09.15.2011 Scranton, PA Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountai
09.16.2011 Hartford, CT Comcast Theatre
09.17.2011 Boston, MA Comcast Center
09.23.2011 St. Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
09.24.2011 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
09.29.2011 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
09.30.2011 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theater
10.01.2011 Indianapolis, IN Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
10.07.2011 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
10.08.2011 Atlanta, GA Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood
10.09.2011 Mobile, AL BayFest 2011
10.14.2011 Tampa, FL 1-800-ASK GARY Amphitheater
10.15.2011 West Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre

European Tour:

10.30.2011 Edinburgh Usher Hall
10.31.2011 Manchester O2 Apollo
11.01.2011 London Wembley Arena
11.03.2011 Amsterdam Paradiso
11.05.2011 Munich Kesselhaus
11.07.2011 Cologne E Werk
11.08.2011 Hamburg Gr Freiheit
11.11.2011 Helsinki Finlandia Hall
11.13.2011 Stockholm Cirkus
11.15.2011 Oslo Spektrum
11.17.2011 Copenhagen Vega
11.19.2011 Berlin Huxley's Neue Welt

FIRST AUSTRALIAN IDOL WINNER AND PLATINUM SELLING SUPERSTAR DOWN UNDER, GUY SEBASTIAN, SETS HIS SIGHTS ON THE U.S. WITH  ‘WHO’S THAT GIRL’

2011-06-07T14:42:00.000-07:00

FIRST AUSTRALIAN IDOL WINNER AND
PLATINUM SELLING SUPERSTAR DOWN UNDER,
GUY SEBASTIAN,
SETS HIS SIGHTS ON THE U.S. WITH  ‘WHO’S THAT GIRL’ (FEATURING HIP-HOP STAR EVE),  ALREADY ONE OF THE BEST SELLING SINGLES IN
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC HISTORY

The same week that this year’s “American Idol” finalists Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina were battling it out for the title, Guy Sebastian—one of the world’s most successful Idol winners, who took the first “Australian Idol” crown in 2003—was in Los Angeles collaborating with various songwriters and working on material for an upcoming EP that will mark his official U.S. debut.

  Though the multi-talented, R&B/pop singer-songwriter (www.guysebastian.com.au) is essentially starting from square one Stateside, all signs are pointing to a loving embrace by American pop fans. Two of his platinum selling Australian releases, The Memphis Album (2007) and Like It Like That (2009), are already up on iTunes and “Who’s That Girl,” his infectious song featuring lady hip-hop star Eve, is currently being promoted in various radio formats: Top 40, Hot AC and Rhythmic AC.

 The track is already a huge sensation in Sebastian’s homeland, where it was the second highest selling Australian artist single of 2010, selling four times platinum; it also reached #1 on the New Zealand singles chart.

 While many American Idol winners struggle to build and maintain large fan bases, Sebastian’s popularity back home has grown over the past eight years due to great songs, bold stylistic choices and wildly successful tours featuring legendary American musicians like the M.G.’s (Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn and Steve Potts, who played on The Memphis Album) and Lionel Richie.

 His journey began with “Angels Brought Me Here,” his “winners’ song” on Idol which ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) named as the highest selling song of the 2000s; it also reached #1 in four Asian countries and New Zealand. Bookending that success is “Who’s that Girl,” Sebastian’s fifth single to reach #1 helping him become the first Australian male artist in history to achieve five #1 singles.

 While U.S. audiences gear up for the American debut of Simon Cowell’s highly-anticipated “X-Factor” talent competition this fall, Sebastian will be appearing for the second season as a judge on the Australian version. The show is unique from Idol in that the judges help mentor competitors in multiple categories.

Contact: Chip Schutzman, Miles High Productions: chip@mileshighproductions.com

Natalie Walker Blends Pop, Electronica on Intimate, Revealing New Album “Spark”

2011-06-03T08:56:00.000-07:00

Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter, Beloved of KCRW, Sofia Coppola and Thievery Corporation,  Teams Up With Longtime collaborators Stuhr, as well as Ke$ha Producer Ted Bruner

NEW YORK, N.Y., May 31, 2011 — Dorado Records is pleased to announce the release of singer-songwriter Natalie Walker’s new album, Spark (Dorado). The captivating new disc blends electronic and acoustic textures as a foundation for Walker’s richly expressive vocals. Tracks from the album are already picking up spins from the likes of Tiesto, Jason Bentley, Morgan Page, and David Waxman.

The Colorado-based artist’s prior work has been heard on Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Bones, 90210, Smallville and Entourage, among other TV series, as well as on trendsetting L.A. station KCRW. She wrote and recorded half the album with her longtime collaborators Dan Chen and Nate Greenberg, AKA Brooklyn-based production team Stuhr (Mya, Nicole Atkins, Bebel Gilberto), and half with L.A. writer-producer Ted Bruner (Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Plain White T’s). The music occupies a sweet spot between pop and electronica, incorporating Moog, vocoders, cellos and pianos into its buttery, evocative mix.

Walker’s first session with Bruner, she says, began with his barraging her with questions – and resulted in one of the most personal songs of her career, “I Found You,”. Later came the questing “Sunday Afternoon,” which chronicles what she calls her “journey away from conventional religion.” Elsewhere on Spark she delves into similarly emotional territory, notably on the delicate first single, “Uptight,” and the soulful “Mars,” a meditation on life’s brevity and the importance of making connections while we still can.

But she also displays her adventurous side, feeling the rush of a hot Brooklyn night in the sensuous, grooving “Cool Kids”; diving headfirst into desire on the swooning “Against the Wall”; and, on “Experimental Love,” painting a pulsing, bittersweet portrait of new lovers exploring their chemistry.

Walker’s musical odyssey has taken her to an array of locales, including Philadelphia, where she sang in the trip-hop outfit Daughter Darling before collaborating with Stuhr and releasing her solo debut, Urban Angel, in 2006. The album was reissued by Quango in 2008; The Philadelphia Weekly called it “simply marvelous,” while A&R Worldwide declared, “An artist like Natalie Walker comes only once in a great while.” Urban Angel became a favorite among electronica fans and earned considerable airplay on L.A.’s KCRW; the station’s Jason Bentley, currently the host of the station’s flagship show, “Morning Becomes Eclectic,” proved a strong booster. “Quicksand” was heard on Ugly Betty, while Thievery Corporation remix of the same song appeared in the trailer of Sofia Coppola’s film Marie Antoinette.

2008’s With You, meanwhile, landed “Circles” on Grey’s Anatomy, “Empty Road” on Smallville and “Bye and Bye” on Bones; declared Billboard of the album, “A hypnotic undercurrent lingers beneath her music's drowsy sensuality.” Walker released a three-song EP, Live at the Bunker, in 2009. But with Spark, she has hit a new creative plateau.

NATALIE WALKER RELEASES NEW SINGLE “COOL KIDS” FROM UPCOMING ALBUM “SPARK” DUE OUT JUNE 7

2011-05-05T08:54:00.001-07:00

NATALIE WALKER RELEASES NEW SINGLE “COOL KIDS”

FROM UPCOMING ALBUM “SPARK” DUE OUT JUNE 7

Natalie Walker released her new single, “Cool Kids”, the second single from her highly anticipated third album, Spark, on April 26^th. The new single is for sale exclusively on Beatport for two weeks before being released to iTunes, Amazon and other digital distribution outlets on May 10^th. There are two remixes of the song done by the Remix Artist Collective and Linus Loves which are also available on Beatport.

“Cool Kids” is the second single from her upcoming release, Spark, slated for a June 7^th release date via Dorado Music. The first single, “Uptight”, was released on March 26^th and the single debuted immediately on Jason Bentley’s KCRW show, Morning Becomes Eclectic.

Spark is the third album from the Indiana-born, Colorado-based singer-songwriter, whose prior work has been heard on Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Bones, 90210, and Entourage, among other places. With her richly expressive vocals floating in elegant, spacious instrumental settings, Walker explores powerfully personal territory on tracks like the reflective “I Found You,” the questing “Sunday Afternoon,” and the gorgeous life lesson “Mars”.

Walker crafted half the tracks with Ted Bruner (Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Plain White T’s) and half with Dan Chen and Nate Greenberg of Stuhr (Mya, Nicole Atkins, Bebel Gilberto), the Brooklyn-based production team behind 2008’s With You and her 2006 solo debut, Urban Angel. Yet Spark is remarkably consistent; its jewel-box arrangements never crowd the song, incorporating eclectic instrumentation such as MiniMoog, vocoder, Fender Rhodes, cello and harpsichord .

Like her spiritual pilgrimages, Walker’s musical search has taken her to an array of locales, including Philadelphia, where she sang in the trip-hop outfit Daughter Darling before going solo, meeting up with Brooklyn-based Chen and Greenberg, and journeying to L.A. in search of a new muse. During that time she’s gathered such champions as Jason Bentley (of trendsetting L.A. noncommercial station KCRW); Electronica luminaries King Britt and Thievery Corporation; and Sofia Coppola, who placed Thievery Corporation’s remix of Angel’s “Quicksand” in her film Marie Antoinette.

“Mars” is currently available for a free download in exchange for a Facebook “like” or a Tweet via Topspin widgets on her Facebook and Twitter pages.

For more information on Natalie Walker or her upcoming album, Spark, including her biography, press photos, and a download of her single, “Uptight”, please visit her media page: http://bit.ly/hkEVMJ

For more information on Natalie Walker please contact:

Chip Schutzman

Miles High Productions

PO Box 93157

Los Angeles, CA 90093

chip@mileshighproductions.com

323-806-0400

NASHVILLE STAR ALUM SINGER DAVID ST. ROMAIN TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM IN APRIL

2011-05-05T08:52:00.000-07:00

NASHVILLE STAR ALUM SINGER DAVID ST. ROMAIN TO

RELEASE NEW ALBUM IN APRIL

Tearjerker "Twenty Years Late" Currently Impacting Country Radio

It's not often that a song comes around that makes you want to download it to a disc, wrap a big bow around it, and say, "Hey, mom, this is how I feel," but that's exactly what country singer and "Nashville Star" finalist David St. Romain has done with his new single, "Twenty Years Late" from his new album, All I Really Wanted To Say, which was released April 19 via Aria Records Nashville.

The soon-to-be-classic, which went to country radio earlier this month just in time for Mother's Day (May 8), goes like this:

Hey mom I know that it's late

Hope I didn't wake you

Everything is okay, I just need to talk to you

Today I had one of those days

But I didn't call to complain

Just to say everything that I didn't through all of those years

You were a taxi cab driver, a nurse and a maid

A waitress a cook and a shoulder to lay my head on

To cry on when nothing was going my way

You knew every answer without cracking a book

What I took for granted that I had it so good

And I'm sorry it's taken me so long to say, thank you, I love you, twenty years late

St. Romain explains the origins of the song: "This song is a genuine look at many mother/son or mother/daughter relationships. We, the sons and daughters, often forget how much our mothers have done for us throughout our childhood and as we grow older and have our own children, we realize how much we miss about those childhood memories. Every time I sing this amazing song and my Mom is there, we are both in tears by the second verse. It makes it hard to finish the song without a hint of laughter between the two of us."

"Twenty Years Late" is just one of the many heartfelt songs on the 12-track album All I Really Wanted To Say. The collection also features the self-penned "That's Love," which is an emotional tale of hard working people's everyday sacrifices to provide for their families. The married father of two donated 100% of the proceeds to an organization near to his heart, the National Kidney Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

While "Twenty Years Late" will be serviced to radio in time for Mother's Day, the track is available now at his website at www.davidstromain.com. He will be promoting the single at the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) in Nashville.

St. Romain, who hails from Alexandria, Louisiana, was discovered while competing on the country music reality show, "Nashville Star," where he placed third on season five in 2007. His time on the show made country music critics nationwide take notice, including the New York Times, which wrote, "… with a smoky, R&B-inflected voice David St. Romain may be the show's most well-rounded entertainer."

Following CRS, St. Romain will be hitting the road for some shows and radio appearances including a very special date on March 22 where he has been invited to be one of the first artists to perform at "The Voice," a multimedia broadcast center and radio station, started by Ryan Seacrest as part of his Ryan Seacrest Foundation at the Children's Hospital of Atlanta. The station broadcasts to all the children's rooms in the areas three hospitals.

St. Romain will also be contributing original songs for a children's book by Tia Lynn, an Atlanta-based artist, which will be distributed to children in long-term hospital care whether for cancer or other chronic illnesses. More details to follow.

For more information:

www.davidstromain.com

# # #

Contact: Chip Schutzman

Phone: (323) 871-4821

David St. Romain Releases “Twenty Years Late”

2011-05-04T16:05:00.001-07:00

"...with a smoky, R&B-inflected voice David St. Romain may be [‘Nashville Star’s’] most well-rounded entertainer." – New York Times

NASHVILLE STAR ALUM SINGER DAVID ST. ROMAIN TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM IN APRIL

Tearjerker "Twenty Years Late" Currently Impacting Country Radio

It's not often that a song comes around that makes you want to download it to a disc, wrap a big bow around it, and say, "Hey, mom, this is how I feel," but that's exactly what country singer and "Nashville Star" finalist David St. Romain has done with his new single, "Twenty Years Late" from his new album, All I Really Wanted To Say, which was released April 19 via Aria Records Nashville.

The soon-to-be-classic, which went to country radio earlier this month just in time for Mother's Day (May 8), goes like this:

Hey mom I know that it's late

Hope I didn't wake you

Everything is okay, I just need to talk to you

Today I had one of those days

But I didn't call to complain

Just to say everything that I didn't through all of those years

You were a taxi cab driver, a nurse and a maid

A waitress a cook and a shoulder to lay my head on

To cry on when nothing was going my way

You knew every answer without cracking a book

What I took for granted that I had it so good

And I'm sorry it's taken me so long to say, thank you, I love you, twenty years late

"Twenty Years Late" is just one of the many heartfelt songs on the 12-track album All I Really Wanted To Say. The collection also features the self-penned "That's Love," which is an emotional tale of hard working people's everyday sacrifices to provide for their families. The married father of two donated 100% of the proceeds to an organization near to his heart, the National Kidney Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

St. Romain, who hails from Alexandria, Louisiana, was discovered while competing on the country music reality show, "Nashville Star," where he placed third on season five in 2007. His time on the show made country music critics nationwide take notice, including the New York Times, which wrote, "… with a smoky, R&B-inflected voice David St. Romain may be the show's most well-rounded entertainer."

For more information:

www.davidstromain.com

Sojourn Music Release Inspirational Album "The Water And The Blood: The Hymns Of Isaac Watts

2011-04-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

Sojourn Music Release Inspirational Album "The Water And The Blood: The Hymns Of Isaac Watts"

Hollywood, CA-April 26, 2011-It is significant that Sojourn has released their new indie Christian album The Water and The Blood: The Hymns of Isaac Watts two days after Easter. Their seventh recording is timed perfectly to appreciate, reflect, and find more meaning in the sacred holiday.

The Water and The Blood: The Hymns of Isaac Watts takes you through hymns that have a distinct Roots/Americana feel to them while communicating a universal message to their audience. Musicians with backgrounds in jazz, country, pop, and punk rock came together for a common cause while seeking to serve the Church with meaningful contemporary music.

Since launching in 2000, Sojourn Music has recorded 7 albums of original music, including the critically-acclaimed album Before the Throne. Sojourn’s music is very powerful. The members of the band come from a church with three campuses in Louisville, with 2500+ people gathering on Sundays for worship.

The musicianship on The Water and The Blood: The Hymns of Isaac Watts is exceptional, which gives their message more of a universal touch point for those that have not been exposed to their unique brand of Christian artistry. Every word is felt on the recording because the vocals are on par with the music, making for a touching blend of spirit compelled with the belief that a positive message simply cannot be ignored.

The Water and The Blood: The Hymns of Isaac Watts is available on CD, Digital format and vinyl LP.

“We’re excited to release this new collection of hymns. It’s music that comes from a real sense of community and faith, connecting emerging generations from the 300-year-old work of the father of the English hymn. We can’t wait to introduce you to Isaac Watts,” states Michael Cosper, Pastor of Worship and Arts for Sojourn Community Church.

Visit the Sojourn website for updates, media and more in depth biographical information on the band and their upcoming events. You can also preview a video that describes “The Water and The Blood: The Hymns of Isaac Watts” here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv4BBvVZROk

# # #

For more information about Sojourn Music, please contact Miles High Productions:

Miles High Productions • (323) 806-0400 • chip@mileshighproductions.com

TRACY NELSON'S "VICTIM OF THE BLUES" ON DELTA GROOVE RECORDS HEARKENS TO EARLIEST BLUES INFLUENCES

2011-04-07T09:05:00.002-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 9, 2011

TRACY NELSON’S VICTIM OF THE BLUES

ON DELTA GROOVE RECORDS

HEARKENS TO EARLIEST BLUES INFLUENCES

When Nelson’s home was destroyed by fire, firefighters announced

they could save only one room. Nelson pointed to the studio.

This is the album that survived.

CD, due out April 19, features Marcia Ball, Angela Strehli, John Cowan

and Jimmy Pugh

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — She has one of the signature voices of her generation. That natural gift has always guided Tracy Nelson’s soul; indeed allowed her to both write and seek out the deeper songs regardless of niche or genre. A fierce singer of truth, a fountain of the deepest heartache, she is an ultimate communicator and has regularly destroyed audiences across decades of performing. Rolling Stone asserted, “Tracy Nelson proves that the human voice is the most expressive instrument in creation.” With Victim of the Blues (Delta Groove), her 26th album in just over five decades, she has circled fully, back to the original music from South Side Chicago that mesmerized her teenaged mind in the mid-1960s. The album is slated for April 19, 2011 release.

“Several years ago,” Nelson reveals now, “I was driving with a friend across Montana, tooling down I-90 hauling a 1962 Bambi II Airstream trailer, the one that looks like a toaster. We were making a trip to Hebron, North Dakota where my grandfather homesteaded and built up a 2000+ acre ranch which he sold in the early ’60s.” The current owners were about to tear down the old claim shack and she wanted to go back there one last time. The car windows were down and national blues DJ Bill Wax was on XM Satellite Radio — the great Otis Spann’s “One More Mile,” from his 1964 Prestige album, rolled out of the truck speakers. “It had always been a song I wanted to do” Nelson recalls, “and that started me thinking about all the great Chicago blues songs and artists I had heard in my formative years, especially Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. This was around the time I made my first record, Deep Are the Roots.” She thought too of just a few years ago when she was touring nationally as part of a well-known Chicago blues revue, playing a lot of blues festivals. “The music I heard back in the day in Chicago and what I was hearing from the current crop of blues acts bore little relation to each other.”

From that memorable day in the Badlands hearing “One More Mile,” she decided it was time to make a record with, she says, “some of those fine old songs and be as true and authentic to the style as a Norwegian white girl (is that redundant?) from Wisconsin could manage it.” The new album, Victim of the Blues, is a hand-picked collection of songs, most written by Nelson’s early heroes: Muddy Waters (“One More Mile”), Jimmy Reed (“Shoot Him”), Percy Mayfield (“Stramger in My Own Hometown”), Lightning Hopkins (“Feel So Bad”), Joe Tex (“The Love You Save”) and Howlin’ Wolf (“Howlin’ for My Baby”). She has chosen 11 songs of the day, ones that were spilling out of AM radios from second-story apartments, rolled-down car windows, and live from darkened clubs with exotic names like El Macambo.

Nelson’s listening education began in the early 1960s when, while growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, she immersed herself in the R&B she heard beamed into her bedroom from Nashville’s WLAC-AM. “It was like hearing music from Mars,” she recalls of the alien sounds that stirred her so. As an undergrad at the University of Wisconsin, she combined her musical passions singing blues and folk at coffeehouses and R&B at frat parties as one of three singers fronting a band (including keyboardist Ben Sidran) called the Fabulous Imitations. She was all of 18. In 1964 she went to Chicago to record her first album, Deep Are the Roots, produced by Sam Charters and released on Prestige Records.

A short time later, Tracy moved to San Francisco and, in the midst of that era’s psychedelic explosion, formed Mother Earth, a group that was named after the fatalistic Memphis Slim song (which she sang at his 1988 funeral). In 1968 the band recorded its first album, which included Nelson’s own composition “Down So Low.” It became her signature song, called by Esquire magazine “one of the five saddest songs ever written.” It has been regularly covered by great women singers through the years, including Etta James, Linda Ronstadt, Maria Muldaur and, in 2010, Cyndi Lauper, who chose it for her own Grammy-nominated blues album.

In 1969, the second Mother Earth album, Make a Joyful Noise, was recorded in Nashville, leading Tracy to rent a house and later buy a small farm in the area where she still lives today. As a side project, she soon recorded Mother Earth Presents Tracy Nelson Country for which she coaxed Elvis Presley’s original Sun-era guitarist Scotty Moore to co-produce (with Pete Drake). After six Mother Earth albums for Mercury and Reprise Records, Nelson continued to record throughout the ’70s as a solo artist on various labels. In 1974, she garnered her first Grammy nomination for “After the Fire Is Gone,” a track from her Atlantic Records album, a hit duet with Willie Nelson that Tracy reprised on her 2003 album, Live From Cell Block D.

The highlight of Nelson’s tenure with Rounder Records throughout the 1990s was surely Sing It!, the brilliant, big-selling 1998 album starring Nelson, swamp blues/rocker Marcia Ball and soul queen Irma Thomas. And drawing from the recent albums she did with Memphis International, Nelson gave fans worldwide the chance to hear her live (in the great jailhouse album tradition of Johnny Cash and B.B. King) when she released Live From Cell Block D, recorded at the West Tennessee Detention Center in Mason, Tennessee. It was a profound experience for her and reinforced “the value of sharing music in every venue imaginable.”

In late July, 2010, Nelson was featured on NPR’s “Weekend Edition,” a little more than a month after the tragic fire that took the 100+ year old farmhouse she shared with longtime partner Mike Dysinger. She was just beginning to deal with the aftermath of losing her home and many of her personal belongings. “The firemen told us they could save one room — we had to decide — we said ‘the studio.’” This album, Victim of the Blues, is the album that miraculously survived the fire. And that is the reason that the first people Nelson thanks in this album’s notes are the Burns, Tennessee Volunteer Fire Department.

To date, there have been several benefits across the country to assist the two in rebuilding their farmhouse on the land they love. Seeing as how her first Grammy nomination was for “After the Fire Is Gone,” with Willie Nelson, she would say drolly, “It seemed like the perfect thing to call these events.” Nelson had titled this album before the fire, so the irony is not missed on her. Victim of the Blues is as deeply felt as anything she has recorded in her exceptional career. She is a soul survivor.

# # #

For more information about Tracy Nelson, please contact Miles High Productions:

Miles High Productions • (323) 806-0400 • chip@mileshighproductions.com

KELLYLEE EVANS wins 2011 Juno for Jazz Vocal Album of the Year

2011-04-01T13:41:00.001-07:00

KELLYLEE EVANS WINS 2011 JUNO AWARD

Kellylee Evans has won the 2011 Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. The album, entitled Nina (Plus Loin Music), is a tribute to jazz great Nina Simone. Other nominees for the 2011 award included Emilie-Claire Barlow, Nikki Yanofsky, Laila Biali and the late Jeff Healey. This was the Ottawa-based singer-songwriter's second Juno Award nomination and first win.

"It was an honour to be nominated alongside such talented artists," said Evans. "And I am extremely grateful to have won the award with an album that pays tribute to Nina Simone."

Evans recorded Nina in France in November, 2009. French label Plus Loin Music had invited Evans to spend two days in their studio. Shortly after its release, Nina reached the top of the iTunes Jazz charts. The album received critical acclaim and soon Evans was earning accolades for her charismatic performances as she toured the album. In February 2011, Evans was nominated for 2011 Juno Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. She is at work planning her follow-up release slated for 2012.

Evans, who in 2010 also released an alt-soul album of originals titled The Good Girl, was a 2007Juno and Gemini nominee and was awarded second place in the Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocals Competition in 2004 by judges Quincy Jones and Dee Dee
Bridgewater. Evans has toured North America and France opening for such luminaries as Tony Bennett, George Benson, Maceo Parker, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Chris Botti and Derek Trucks.

Heart Performing on The Ellen Degeneres Show on March 29 in Support of the Current 'Night At Sky Church' DVD and Blu-Ray Disc

2011-03-23T13:06:00.001-07:00

“What About Love” Will Be Performed During The Telecast and
“These Dreams” Will Be Put On The Ellen Website.

LOS ANGELES, March 22, 2011—Ann and Nancy Wilson will bring their rock band Heart to the Ellen DeGeneres Show on March 29 (airdate.) They will perform “What About Love” and “These Dreams,” the latter will be featured on the Ellen website, both are on the Legacy Recordings, Night At Sky Church, a new full-length concert film from the ground-breaking Seattle-based rock band available everywhere on DVD and Blu-ray disc starting this month.

Lensed in glorious Red Cam HD during Heart's triumphant hometown gig last March at the Experience Music Project, Seattle's Rock & Roll History Museum, Night At Sky Church showcases a stunning career-spanning selection of warm, revelatory and electrifying performances.

Night At Sky Church includes definitive interpretations of Heart's biggest hits, some of the most anthemic tunes in the entire classic rock canon ("Barracuda," "Crazy On You," "These Dreams," "Alone," etc) while providing a beguiling in-concert introduction to the band's newest songs ("WTF," "Hey You"), the tracks that drove Red Velvet Car, Heart's first new studio album in six years, straight into America's Top 10 following its release last August. The concert includes three cuts ("These Dreams," "Safronia's Mark," "Your Long Journey") featuring multiple Grammy® winning bluegrass-country singer-songwriter Alison Krauss.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show can be seen at 4 p.m. in Los Angeles on Ch. 4 KNBC and in New York on Ch. 4 WNBC and in Seattle at 3 p.m. on Channel 5 KING. Check local listings in other markets.

Teen Artist Claudia Lee Releases Debut Song "It Gets Better" With New Music Video

2011-03-09T08:40:00.001-08:00

(Hollywood, CA) – Claudia Lee is a new teen artist who has released her first single and corresponding music video entitled “It Gets Better” as a direct response in support of Dan Savage’s “It Gets Better” campaign.

The campaign was started by advice columnist and podcaster, Dan Savage, to raise awareness about the recent media coverage in the increasing number of LGBT youth suicides. The campaign features videos filmed by celebrities and politicians, among them President Barrack Obama and fashion designer, Tim Gunn, as well as first-hand accounts of bullying from gay and lesbian adults from all over the United States.

The song entitled, “It Gets Better,” features lyrics that support gay youth and anyone who feels out of place or ostracized for being different. The video for the single depicts images of real people in real situations – from a homeless man to gay couples to teens and other minorities.

Claudia Lee decided to join the “It Gets Better” project to extend a hand in friendship and support to her peers.

“I want my song to touch people who are in need of help, support, and someone to talk to. If I can just help one person from not taking their life because of bullying, then I have succeeded.”

Since the age of five, Claudia Lee aspired to be a singer and actress. At age eleven she designed her own line of eco friendly handbags (www.ecomyworld.com). She can be seen as “Bridget” in the Zeke and Luther TV Show on Disney’s XD Channel. More information about Claudia Lee is available at www.claudialeelive.com.

Claudia Lee’s video is available on YouTube at:
http://www.youtube.com/claudialeelive

The single is also available for purchase on iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/it-gets-better-single/id403826712

The “It Gets Better” project website:

www.itgetsbetter.org

“It Gets Better” was written by Adam Iscove and Max Di Carlo and produced by Max Di Carlo. The video was produced by Brad Ragland and Ian Carroll at 2 Zero 1.

Reality Not Fantasy - Louis Landon's piano driven singer/songwriter pop music album

2011-03-02T00:34:00.001-08:00

Louis Landon has been playing the piano and composing music for over a half a century. Landon's 10th CD, Reality Not Fantasy, to be released on March 15th, 2011, is his tour de force demonstrating heartfelt piano playing, vocals, and songwriting.

Louis Landon's career as a pianist, particularly as a solo pianist, helped define his life's mission: to create a peaceful world through music. While writing the music for Reality Not Fantasy, Landon amended his mission statement. His current mission is to create a more loving and peaceful world by writing, recording and performing music from the heart. The eleven songs on Reality Not Fantasy reflect his heightened emotional state as well as a new state of Consciousness. Landon now lives his life moment by moment with an open heart and without fear.

Produced by Grammy award winning guitarist, Eric Tingstad, Reality Not Fantasy, is Louis Landon's most ambitious recording project to date. Rhythm tracks were recorded in May and June of 2010 using the finest studio musicians and backing vocalists in the Seattle area. (see credit list below) Additional recording continued through September until final mixes were finished at the end of September. Mastering took place at the end of October. Package design began in November and final design was approved at the end of January 2011.

Reality Not Fantasy will be available as both physical CD and download on March 15, 2011 through ITunes, Amazon, CDBaby, and Louis Landon's official website.

*album credits Louis Landon- Piano, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, and Melodica Eric Tingstad - Electric and Acoustic Guitars Ben Smith - Drums Garey Shelton - Bass Janet Baltzo - Hammond Organ and backing vocals Chris Middaugh - Pedal Steel Shannon Walch - Backing Vocals Narayan Baltzo - Backing Vocals TJ Morris - Backing Vocals Terry Lauber - Backing Vocals

Toby Keith brings Mezcal To The Masses

2011-03-01T12:57:00.000-08:00

Authentic "Wild Shot" Spirit "Is All About The Worm"

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Singer, songwriter and entertainer Toby Keith has extended his brand beyond music in many ways, and his latest venture aims at creating an entirely new market segment. He is set to release Toby Keith's Wild Shot Mezcal, a handcrafted 100% green agave spirit, authentic in its Mexican heritage right down to the worm at the bottom of the bottle.

"I have always been fascinated with Mexico and the drink Mezcal," Keith says. "It is a part of my life. Mexico is a theme that runs through many of my songs, including my recent single 'Bullets In The Gun.' The tradition and history of Mezcal is magical to me, and dates back to 16th century warriors celebrating the defeat of their enemies."

Keith points out that the agave worm in every true bottle of Mezcal is not decoration. "It's not there for the look," he says. "It is there to be eaten. It is believed that the worm will bring wondrous experiences and every individual's will be different. There is a void in the market place in getting this drink to the average person, so it seemed natural for me to start a business selling Toby Keith Mezcal."

Wild Shot will be imported by Shaw-Ross, a leading importer and marketer of fine wines and spirits.

"Toby has the ability to create global awareness and our distributors have the ability to take that message to the market," says Vincent Viola, president of Shot And a Beer which has partnered with Keith for Wild Shot. "This partnership will create a new category for the spirits industry as there are virtually no Mezcal products on the market compared to the number of Tequila offerings."

This entirely original version of the storied beverage has been developed over the last 18 months. "Tequila is basically tasteless when compared to Mezcal, due in part to the fact that Mezcal is 'cooked' in a completely different manner," Viola says. "The heart of the green agave (pinas) are cooked over wood logs, lending a smoky flavor to the finished product. And lets not forget the worm. In each bottle we place an agave worm, which only lives in the plant itself. Folklore says when eaten, the worm acts as an aphrodisiac."

Viola also points out: "Toby Keith does not follow trends, he starts them, and Wild Shot is one of a kind, like the man himself."

And Toby has some advice for future customers: "You drink it like Tequila, but I think it goes down a lot smoother. It is something I believe is to be enjoyed."

Toby Keith is one of the most accomplished and celebrated musical forces of his era, having launched his career on the strength of his self-penned No. 1 smash "Should've Been A Cowboy." Almost 18 years later, he continues to write, sing, produce and release music that dominates the charts, with his latest album Bullets In The Gun debuting atop the all-genre Billboard Top 200. His tours have drawn more than one million fans for 10 consecutive years and he is again nominated for the Academy of Country Music's prestigious Entertainer of the Year award, an honor with which he has twice been bestowed.

Las Vegas based band Forgotten Door Releases Debut Album “Unlocked”

2011-02-24T13:45:00.000-08:00

HOLLYWOOD, CA-February 7, 2011- If bands like Fleetwood Mac or Little River Band hold any significance for you then you will find Las Vegas band, Forgotten Door’s music is right up your alley. The band’s debut album, Unlocked, finds them taking elements from such great influences and creating their own original songs with strong lyrics and driving melodies.
The band’s story began seventeen years ago when two musicians were introduced by a mutual friend to play a wedding event. Slowly evolving over the years Johndale Stanley and Lonnie Danley eventually completed the rest of the band with female vocalist, Melody Ritz, guitarist, Michael Seal, bass player, Karl Gottmann, and drummer, Kevin Brennan. With all the members in place the band began recording their first album in 2007. Despite a series of long delays, personal tragedies, money setbacks and label turmoil, the band finally completed their album in the summer of 2010.

With a strong level of musicianship and lyrical words, the band’s debut album, Unlocked, is a testament to their talent and chemistry. Much like beloved bands, Fleetwood Mac and Little River Band, the interplay of soft melodies with universal lyrics makes Forgotten Door’s album both endearing and rocking taking the listener on a musical journey.

You can find their new album Unlocked on many of the major digital music outlets including iTunes.

For more information about Forgotten Door, visit their website here: http://bit.ly/e5EbNw

Legacy Recordings Releasing Heart's Night At Sky Church

2011-02-16T17:07:00.000-08:00

AN ELECTRIFYING FULL-LENGTH LIVE CONCERT FILM,
AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2011

Historic Career-Spanning March 2010 Concert At Seattle's Experience Music Project Lensed In Red Cam HD For Home DVD & Blu-ray Release

* * * * *

Legacy Recordings will release Night At Sky Church, a new full-length concert film from the ground-breaking Seattle-based rock band Heart, available everywhere on DVD and Blu-ray disc on Tuesday, March 8, 2011.

Lensed in glorious Red Cam HD during Heart's triumphant hometown gig last March at the Experience Music Project, Seattle's Rock & Roll History Museum, Night At Sky Church showcases a stunning career-spanning selection of warm, revelatory and electrifying performances.

Night At Sky Church includes definitive interpretations of Heart's biggest hits, some of the most anthemic tunes in the entire classic rock canon ("Barracuda," "Crazy On You," "These Dreams," "Alone," etc) while providing a beguiling in-concert introduction to the band's newest songs ("WTF," "Hey You"), the tracks that drove Red Velvet Car, Heart's first new studio album in six years, straight into America's Top 10 following its release last August.

The concert includes three cuts ("These Dreams," "Safronia's Mark," "Your Long Journey") featuring multiple Grammy® winning bluegrass-country singer-songwriter Alison Krauss. "Working with Ann and Nancy Wilson far exceeded any expectation of how talented and beautiful I already thought they were," said Krauss. "Getting to be a part of this concert was incredible!"

Heart's Night At Sky Church performances show why the Wilson sisters and their music resonate so deeply with fans, and why their influence to widens among other musicians.

"Ann and Nancy Wilson, simply put, are rock & roll," said American country artist Carrie Underwood, who performed with Heart on the VH1 special "Heart & Friends - Decades Rock Live!". "For decades, they have been teaching the rest of us that we can all only dream of singing those sky high melodies and looking that cool on the guitar! Heart is the perfect combination of beauty and rock, and I feel more than honored to have shared the stage with them."

Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, part of the VH1 Divas 2010 line-up with Heart, praised them saying, "The voice, the guitar playing, the song writing: Heart comes on stage, a burning flame. They aren't women who rock. They are rockers who forever changed the course of music and charted a path for my life. I am forever grateful."

"Ann and Nancy have always been and continue to be the best female rock vocalists I've ever heard live," says American pop singer Katy Perry, who also joined Heart as part of the VH1 Divas 2010 roster. "They could sing the phone book, and I would still listen."

VH1 Classic will air a broadcast edition of "HEART - Night At Sky Church" during the DVD release week. Please check your local listings for showtimes in your area.

* * * * *

Last August, Red Velvet Car, the first new studio album in six years from Heart, entered the Billboard 200 best-selling album charts at #10, becoming the seventh Top 10 album of the group's career. Heart's first album for Legacy Recordings, the critically-acclaimed Red Velvet Car marked the return of the group to the Sony Music Entertainment family. The album reached #1 in sales on Amazon.com in September.

The critical response to Red Velvet Car has been universally ecstatic. "The barracudas are back and at the top of their game," wrote Rolling Stone (September 2, 2010) while USA Today (August 25, 2010) called the album "Intimate, intense and anchored by Ann’s powerhouse vocals and Nancy’s aggressive acoustic guitar...." The New York Times (August 4, 2010) found Red Velvet Car "aggressive, delicate and enduring" while the Los Angeles Times noted that "Thirty-four years after the band's debut, Heart's dreamboat sails on."

For their first new album since 2004's Jupiter's Darling, the first ladies of arena rock took an acoustic approach to a collection of songs inspired by the world around them, arranged for an assortment of strings including guitar, mandolin, dobro, banjo, fiddle, viola, cello and autoharp, all played by Nancy Wilson and the album's producer, multiple Grammy nominee Ben Mink, who may also be heard on Night At Sky Church.

Nine of the album's songs were written and appeared for the first time on Red Velvet Car. The album's closer, "Sand," is a newly recorded version of a song originally written and recorded by the Lovemongers, Ann and Nancy's 1990's acoustic side project.

* * * * *

Ann Wilson and her younger sister, Nancy Wilson, first showed the world that women can rock when their band Heart stormed the charts in the '70s with hits like "Crazy on You," "Magic Man," "Barracuda," ‘Straight On," "Even It Up," "Kick It Out" and so many more. Not only did the Wilson sisters lead the band, they wrote the songs, and played the instruments too, making them the first women in rock to do so. Heart continued topping the charts through the ‘80s and into the ‘90s with huge hits like "These Dreams," "Alone," "What About Love," "If Looks Could Kill," "Never," and a string of other hits that showcased the sisters’ enormous talents as both musicians and singers. Along the way, Heart sold more than 30 million records, had 21 top 40 hits, sold out arenas worldwide, and had a profound influence on rock music.

Heart were 2008 recipients of VH1 Rock Honors, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Northwest Grammy Foundation, and received ASCAP’s award for Excellence in Songwriting in 2009.

* * * * *

Heart - Night At Sky Church - tracklisting
Barracuda
Never
Straight On
Love Alive
Mistral Wind
WTF
Hey You
Red Velvet Car
These Dreams (with Alison Krauss)
Safronia’s Mark (with Alison Krauss and Ben Mink)
Your Long Journey (with Alison Krauss and Ben Mink)
What About Love
Alone
Crazy On You

encore
Sand
Magic Man

Bonus tracks
Back To Avalon
Kick It Out

* * * * *

Restoration of Phil Spector's Catalog Brings 4 New Collections

2011-02-10T18:29:00.000-08:00

• BE MY BABY: THE VERY BEST OF THE RONETTES
(Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees, 2007)
• THE SOUND OF LOVE: THE VERY BEST OF DARLENE LOVE
(Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee, 2011)
• DA DOO RON RON: THE VERY BEST OF THE CRYSTALS
• WALL OF SOUND: THE VERY BEST OF PHIL SPECTOR 1961-1966

50th ANNIVERSARY OF PHILLES RECORDS CELEBRATED IN 2011

All titles available at both physical and digital retail outlets
starting February 22, 2011, through Phil Spector Records/Legacy

Coinciding with PBS pledge-drive premieres in February:
• Rock, Pop, and Doo Wop featuring Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes
and La La Brooks of the Crystals
•The Concert Of Love starring Darlene Love

The 50th anniversary of the Philles Records label (1961-2011) has arrived. The long-range campaign promise announced in 2009 by Legacy Recordings and EMI Music Publishing, to dig deep into the rich catalog of Phil Spector’s ‘Wall Of Sound’ on Philles, moves ahead with four newly-compiled albums. The quartet of titles will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting February 22nd through Phil Spector Records/ Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT:
 DA DOO RON RON; THE VERY BEST OF THE CRYSTALS, 18 tracks including “There's No Other (Like My Baby),” “He Hit Me (It Felt Like A Kiss),” “He's A Rebel,” “He's Sure the Boy I Love,” “Da Doo Ron Ron,” and “Then He Kissed Me,” with numerous B-sides and rarities, plus the previously unreleased “Woman In Love (With You)”;
 BE MY BABY: THE VERY BEST OF THE RONETTES, 18 tracks including “Be My Baby,” “Baby, I Love You,’ “(The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up,” “Do I Love You?,” “Walking In The Rain,” and “I Can Hear Music,” with numerous B-sides and rarities, bonus solo tracks by Veronica (aka Ronnie Spector), plus the 1969 A&M single “You Came, You Saw, You Conquered”;
 THE SOUND OF LOVE: THE VERY BEST OF DARLENE LOVE, 17 tracks, her first comprehensive multi-label collection ever, including her own “(Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry,” “Wait Til’ My Bobby Gets Home,” and “A Fine, Fine Boy,” plus examples of her work as lead singer with the Blossoms (in 1958 on Capitol Records, and later in 1965 on Reprise), the Crystals, and Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans (“Why Do Lovers Break Each Others Hearts?,” “Not Too Young To Get Married”);
 WALL OF SOUND: THE VERY BEST OF PHIL SPECTOR 1961-1966, 17 tracks covering a cross-section of the top-charted A-side Philles hits from 1961 to ’66 by the Crystals, the Ronettes, Darlene Love, Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans, plus special bonus tracks from the Righteous Brothers (“You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling”) and Ike & Tina Turner (“River Deep, Mountain High”).

With a phenomenal string of hit records by the Ronettes (2007 inductees into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame), Darlene Love (set for 2011 induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame), the Crystals, Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans, the Righteous Brothers (2003 inductees into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame), and for a moment in time, Ike & Tina Turner (1991 Inductees into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame), the genius of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame producer Phil Spector lit up singles charts in the U.S. and abroad throughout the 1960s. At the height of productivity at Philles Records, a new smash was hitting the racks virtually every month or two – an unprecedented track record then and now.
The upcoming album releases coincide with two special premieres scheduled for nationwide PBS pledge-drive events in February: Rock, Pop, and Doo Wop featuring Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes and La La Brooks of the Crystals; and The Concert Of Love starring Darlene Love (recently issued on DVD).
To understand the impact of Phil Spector’s studio creations, consider the first big two-year breakthrough of Philles Records releases, starting with the Crystals’ “There's No Other (Like My Baby)” in November 1961 (Philles 100) and “He's a Rebel” in September 1962 (Philles 106).
Virtually every single on the label became a bonafide hit over the next year or so: “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” by Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans (Philles 107, November 1962), “He's Sure the Boy I Love” by the Crystals (Philles 109, December 1962), “Why Do Lovers Break Each Others Hearts?” by Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans (Philles 110, February 1963), “(Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry” by Darlene Love (Philles 111, April 1963), “Da Doo Ron Ron” by the Crystals (Philles 112, April 1963), “Not Too Young to Get Married” by Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans (Philles 113, June 1963), “Wait 'Til My Bobby Gets Home” by Darlene Love (Philles 114, July 1963), “Then He Kissed Me” by the Crystals (Philles 115, August 1963), “Be My Baby” by the Ronettes (Philles 116, August 1963), “A Fine, Fine Boy” by Darlene Love (Philles 117, October 1963), “Baby I Love You” by the Ronettes (Philles 118, December 1963), and Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (Philles 119, November 1963). (The majority of these – including all the Ronettes and Darlene Love sides – were Ellie Greenwich/ Jeff Barry/Phil Spector compositions.)
Nearly a half-century later, the lion’s share of those hits continue to enthrall a new generation of listeners. From hitmakers like Katy Perry to auteur producers like Bruno Mars, the influence of Spector’s ‘Wall Of Sound’ continues to resonate.
One annual reminder has always been A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector, the 1963 LP whose tracks saturate the radio airwaves every year at holiday time: Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and “White Christmas,” the Crystals’ “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” the Ronettes’ “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and “Sleigh Ride” (“Ring-a-ling-a-ling-a / ding-dong-ding”), and all the rest of Spector’s rockin’ Christmas classics. That Christmas album now has a permanent home in Sony Music’s Legacy catalog, which released a newly-remastered version in October 2009.
Adding credence to the four new collections are their accompanying new liner notes essays: Lenny Kaye, veteran rock-writer/critic and long-time guitarist/producer and songwriter of the Patti Smith Group, covers the Ronettes; Sheryl Farber, three-time Grammy-nominated producer, writer and on-line radio host covers the Crystals; and Jim Bessman, veteran Billboard columnist and annotator of many Legacy releases, covers Darlene Love and the broad scope contained in the Phl Spector collection.
“There may be no pop music more iconic than ‘Be My Baby’ or ‘Da Do Ron Ron’,” said Adam Block, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Legacy Recordings, at the time of the announcement of the licensing agreement with EMI Music Publishing in 2009. “The ‘Wall of Sound’ is embedded in our musical DNA, the craft of these recordings, the quality of the songwriting and the power of the productions have established a standard that continues to inspire artists and musicians. The style, attitude and voices of great artists like Ronnie Spector and Darlene Love remain a presence in pop culture. We are delighted to be bringing these records to a whole new generation.”

BE MY BABY: THE VERY BEST OF THE RONETTES (Phil Spector Records/Legacy 88697 61286 2) Selections: 1. Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love - Veronica (1963) • 2. Be My Baby (1963, Hot 100 #2, R&B #4) • 3. Baby, I Love You (1963, Hot 100 #24, R&B #6) • 4. (The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up (1964, Hot 100 #39) • 5. So Young - Veronica (1964) • 6. Do I Love You? (1964, Hot 100 #34, R&B #11) • 7. Walking In The Rain (1964, Hot 100 #23, R&B #3) • 8. I Wonder (1963) • 9. When I Saw You (1964) • 10. You Baby (1964) • 11. Born To Be Together (1964, Hot 100 #52) • 12. Is This What I Get For Loving You? (1965, #75) • 13. Paradise (1965) • 14. Here I Sit (1965) • 15. I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine (1966) • 16. Everything Under The Sun (1966) • 17. I Can Hear Music (1966, Hot 100 #100) • 18. You Came, You Saw, You Conquered (A&M, 1969).

DA DOO RON RON; THE VERY BEST OF THE CRYSTALS (Phil Spector Records/Legacy 88697 61288 2) Selections: 1. There's No Other (Like My Baby) (1961, Hot 100 #20, R&B #5) • 2. Oh Yeah, Maybe Baby (1961) • 3. Uptown (1962, Hot 100 #13, R&B #18) • 4. What A Nice Way To Turn 17 (1962) • 5. He Hit Me (It Felt Like A Kiss) (1962) • 6. No One Ever Tells You (1962) • 7. He's A Rebel (1962, Hot 100 #1, R&B #2) • 8. I Love You Eddie (1962) • 9. Another Country - Another World (1962) • 10. Please Hurt Me (1962) • 11. He's Sure the Boy I Love (1962, Hot 100 #11, R&B #18) • 12. Da Doo Ron Ron (1963, Hot 100 #3, R&B #5) • 13. Woman In Love (With You) (1963, previously unreleased) • 14. Heartbreaker (1963) • 15. Then He Kissed Me (1963 Hot 100 #6, R&B #8) • 16. I Wonder (1963) • 17. Little Boy (1963, Hot 100 #92) • 18. All Grown Up (1963, Hot 100 #98, R&B #27).

THE SOUND OF LOVE: THE VERY BEST OF DARLENE LOVE
(Phil Spector Records/Legacy 88697 61290 2)
1. No Other Love – The Blossoms with Eddie Beal’s Orchestra (Capitol, 1958)
2. He’s A Rebel – The Crystals (1962, Hot 100 #1, R&B #2)
3. My Heart Beat A Little Faster – Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans (1962)
4. He's Sure the Boy I Love – The Crystals (1962, Hot 100 #11, R&B #18)
5. Why Do Lovers Break Each Others Hearts? – Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans (1963, Hot 100 #38)
6. (Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry – Darlene Love (1963, Hot 100 #39)
7. Not Too Young To Get Married – Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans (1963, Hot 100 #63)
8. Wait Til’ My Bobby Gets Home – Darlene Love (1963, Hot 100 #26)
9. Run Run Runaway – Darlene Love (1963)
10. A Fine, Fine Boy – Darlene Love (1963, Hot 100 #53, R&B #29)
11. Strange Love – Darlene Love (1964)
12. Stumble And Fall – Darlene Love (1964)
13. (He’s A) Quiet Guy – Darlene Love (1964)
14. A Long Way To Be Happy – Darlene Love (1965)
15. That’s When The Tears Start – The Blossoms (Reprise, 1965)
16. Good Good Lovin’ – The Blossoms (Reprise, 1965, R&B #45)
17. Lord, If You’re A Woman (1975)

WALL OF SOUND: THE VERY BEST OF PHIL SPECTOR 1961-1966
(Phil Spector Records/Legacy 88697 61294 2)
1. He's A Rebel – The Crystals (1962, Hot 100 #1, R&B #2)
2. Da Doo Ron Ron – The Crystals (1963, Hot 100 #3, R&B #5)
3. Be My Baby – The Ronettes (1963, Hot 100 #2, R&B #4)
4. Then He Kissed Me – The Crystals (1963 Hot 100 #6, R&B #8)
5. (Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry – Darlene Love (1963, Hot 100 #39)
6. Baby, I Love You – The Ronettes (1963, Hot 100 #24, R&B #6)
7. He's Sure the Boy I Love – The Crystals (1962, Hot 100 #11, R&B #18)
8. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah – Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans (1962, Hot 100 #8, R&B #7)
9. Wait Til’ My Bobby Gets Home – Darlene Love (1963, Hot 100 #26)
10. Walking In The Rain – The Ronettes (1964, Hot 100 #23, R&B #3)
11. Uptown – The Crystals (1962, Hot 100 #13, R&B #18)
12. Why Do Lovers Break Each Others Hearts? – Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans (1963, Hot 100 #38)
13. Do I Love You? – The Ronettes (1964, Hot 100 #34, R&B #11)
14. A Fine, Fine Boy – Darlene Love (1963, Hot 100 #53, R&B #29)
15. There's No Other Like My Baby – The Crystals (1961, Hot 100 #20, R&B #5)
16. You’ve Lost That Lovin Feeling – The Righteous Brothers (1964, Hot 100 #1)
17. (The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up – The Ronettes (1964, Hot 100 #39)
18. Not Too Young To Get Married – Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans (1963, Hot 100 #63)
19. River Deep, Mountain High – Ike & Tina Turner (1966, Hot 100 #88).

legacyrecordings.com

Eleanor Fye Releases New Album “Love Stays On”

2011-02-02T12:45:00.000-08:00

If the names Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Mary Chapin Carpenter have any meaning for you then Eleanor Fye's music will find common ground between your ears and in your heart. Comparisons to more modern day artists come up as well including Sara Bareilles or Norah Jones but make no mistake about it; Eleanor Fye defines her own place in the vast world of artists vying for your attention.

On Eleanor's second full-length release Love Stays On she literally stays "On" herself through the entire recording offering up pop-rock tunes that are a seemingly endless stream of emotion and succinct musical statements. On tracks like "Best Place To Hide" the young diva tells you in no uncertain terms how she feels and that there is no contentment in being treated other than an equal human being. It is starting with this verse and song that the artist explains to her audience who she is on consistent basis throughout her upbeat recording. Going from jazz to folk to rock is a fluid process on this record, keeping your interest from start to finish.

Love Stays On was recorded in Nashville in a few days (with a couple of tracks recorded in LA) and the feeling and atmosphere of the album is indicative of the resourcefulness the vocalist and her band achieved during those sessions. It's a testament to Eleanor's skill both as a producer and musician that she can hold her own in the studio with Nashville A-list session players like bassist Michael Rhodes and master guitarist John Jorgenson, who contributes a variety of guitar and mandolin work to the recording.

With Love Stays On Eleanor's changes in style doesn't detract, it rather defines an artist capable of doing more than one thing, displaying her diversity and strengths in all aspects of every track.

Love Stays On is available at all major Etailers and from the artist's website February 1, 2011. Visit the Eleanor Fye website for updates, media, performance dates and more.

Hulon To Open For Michael Bolton on January 25th at Marina Civic Center

2011-01-19T16:42:00.000-08:00

Panama City, FL native, Dr. Hulon Crayton, a noted Smooth Jazz saxophonist and musician will be opening for Michael Bolton on January 25th, 2011 at the Marina Civic Center in Panama City, FL. Accompanied by The On-Call Band, Hulon will be playing a set of his own music before Bolton takes the stage.

Entrepreneur by day and sax player by night, Hulon, is a philanthropist with a successful medical practice that currently lives the jazz life in Panama City, Florida. A long-standing member of the group, “On Call Band,” Hulon has played in various venues on the Gulf Coast.

Prior to the 2010 release of “First Impressions,” during a feature sneak peak of the album on WKGC-FM, J. Harley Pummill said, “when he's not making people feel better as a doctor, he's making them feel better listening to his music.”

You can learn more about this exciting new jazz artist by visiting his official website: www.hulonsax.com or by visiting his fan page on Facebook.

For tickets to the show on January 25thplease visit the Marina Civic Center website: http://marinaciviccenter.com/

GEORGE MICHAEL’s FAITH THE ALBUM THAT MADE HIM AN ICON TO GENERATIONS CELEBRATED WITH THREE COMMEMORATIVE PACKAGES

2011-01-05T16:25:00.000-08:00

GEORGE MICHAEL’s FAITH

THE ALBUM THAT MADE HIM AN ICON TO GENERATIONS

CELEBRATED WITH THREE COMMEMORATIVE PACKAGES

FAITH: DELUXE EDITION –

Limited edition, numbered box set presented in black-and-gold-foiled slipcase, with:

• CD of remastered 10-song album

• CD of remastered 7-inch and 12-inch singles and B-sides

• 180-gram vinyl replica LP

• DVD with BBC interview, original EPK, and 7 promo videos (approx. 100 mins.)

• 60-page hardbound book with interview, rare photos and memorabilia

• Memorabilia envelope with 5 art prints, poster, tickets, and Faith tour pass

• First 2,000 orders receive a specially-designed, numbered art print

• AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY at GeorgeMichael.com;

pre-order now, ships January 31, 2011

FAITH: SPECIAL EDITION (includes two CDs and the DVD) and

FAITH: 2CD REMASTERED EDITION both released

February 1, 2011 through Epic/Legacy

WORLDWIDE BEST-SELLING, GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING ALBUM

OF THE YEAR (1987) FEATURES 6 HIT SINGLES: “I WANT YOUR SEX,” “FAITH,” “FATHER FIGURE,” “ONE MORE TRY,” “MONKEY,”

“KISSING A FOOL”

Of the many events that truly define the evolution of global pop at the end of the 20^th century, the release of George Michael’s debut solo album, Faith, in November 1987, occupies a special place in music history. Spending 87 weeks on the Billboard 200 albums chart (including 12 weeks at #1 in 1988), a rare RIAA diamond certification (for U.S. sales in excess of 10 million units, the biggest selling album of 1988, by far), and the Grammy Award as Album Of The Year – are just the tip of the Faith iceberg.

Added to it are the album’s six top-charted singles: “I Want Your Sex,” “Faith,” “Father Figure,” “One More Try,”“Monkey” and “Kissing A Fool..” Together, they maintained George Michael’s presence on the Hot 100 for a cumulative 85+ weeks, from 1987 to 1989. Written, produced and arranged entirely by George, Faith was a singular achievement that placed him at a level of royal stardom in the ’80s alongside Michael Jackson, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Madonna.

Three new packages pay tribute to this landmark album, beginning with FAITH: DELUXE EDITION. This numbered, limited edition box set can be pre-ordered now, exclusively at www.GeorgeMichael.com. The finished package ships January 31, 2011, released by Epic/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

The richly-designed FAITH: DELUXE EDITION 12”x12” commemorative box set will contain several key components, starting with the remastered 10-song album on CD, another CD of remastered 7-inch and 12-inch singles and B-sides, and a 180-gram vinyl replica of the original LP. There will also be a DVD (running 100 minutes) featuring a BBC interview from 1987 with UK journalist Jonathan Ross; an EPK (electronic press kit) produced in 1988 by Epic Records; and all seven promotional videos (re-synched with the new remastered audio): “I Want Your Sex,” “I Want Your Sex (uncensored),” “Faith,” “Father Figure,” “One More Try,” “Monkey,” and “Kissing A Fool.”

FAITH: DELUXE EDITION is rounded out by a stunning 60-page hard-bound book which includes an exclusive interview with George by BBC Radio personality Mark Goodier, and an essay by Robbie Elson of Genesis Publications. The book also includes rare photos and memorabilia. A separate memorabilia envelope will contain five art prints, reproduction poster, tickets, and tour pass from the Faith tour.

Two additional Faith packages will also be released. FAITH: SPECIAL EDITION will feature the two CDs and the DVD, as described above. A standard remastered double-CD edition will also be released. Both of these editions will be available at all retail outlets starting February 1, 2011.

With his olive complexion and stubble-whiskered Olympian good looks (courtesy of his Greek heritage), the trademark crucifix earring, leather motorcycle jacket, and blue jeans – George Michael graduated from the duo known as Wham! to become an icon to tens of millions of fans around the world. Faith confirmed George’s status as a songwriter of outstanding ability and emotional depth.

Faith not only earned diamond (i.e. 10x-platinum) certifications in the U.S. and Canada, but also hit 4x-platinum in his UK homeland, and 5x-platinum in Australia. Equally massive sales and chart figures were also achieved in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland – the list goes on and on. To date, over the course of his five studio albums and some 30-plus original single titles, George Michael has generated more than 200 million record sales.

In addition to the Grammy for Album Of The Year, Faith won three American Music Awards: Favorite Album (Soul/R&B), Favorite Male Vocalist (Soul/R&B) and Favorite Male Vocalist (Pop/Rock). “Father Figure” took home an MTV Award for Best Direction.

FAITH: DELUXE EDITION by GEORGE MICHAEL (12”x12” box set)

(Epic/Legacy 88697 62837 2)

CD One (remastered album) – Selections: 1. Faith • 2. Father Figure • 3. I Want Your Sex (Parts 1 & 2) • 4. One More Try • 5. Hard Day • 6. Hand To Mouth • 7. Look At Your Hands • 8. Monkey • 9. Kissing A Fool • 10. A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Part 3).

CD Two (remastered 7-inch and 12-inch versions / B-sides) – Selections:

1. Faith (Instrumental) – B-side of 12-inch “Faith” single

2. Fantasy – B-side of “Waiting For That Day” single (all formats)

3. Hard Day (Shep Pettibone Mix) – From original CD album (also track 3 of “Faith” CD single)

4. I Believe When I Fall In Love – B-side of the 7-inch and cassette singles of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”

5. Kissing A Fool (Instrumental) – B-side of 7-inch and 12-inch singles of “Kissing A Fool”

6. Love’s In Need Of Love Today (live recording) – B-side of 7-inch “Father Figure” single

7. Monkey – 7-inch edit

8. Monkey (A Capella & Beats) – A and B sides respectively of 7-inch “Monkey” single

9. Monkey (Jam & Lewis Remix) – 12-inch single

LP (vinyl replica of original album) – Selections: 1. Faith • 2. Father Figure • 3. I Want Your Sex • 4. One More Try • 5. Hard Day • 6. Hand To Mouth • 7. Look At Your Hands • 8. Monkey • 9. Kissing A Fool.

DVD (running time 110 minutes):

1. “George Michael & Jonathan Ross Have Words” (1987)

2. “Music Money Love Faith” (February 1988)

Seven promotional videos (re-synched with remastered audio):

1. I Want Your Sex • 2. I Want Your Sex (Uncensored) • 3. Faith • 4. Father Figure • 5. One More Try • 6. Monkey • 7. Kissing A Fool.

12”x12” limited edition, numbered, black-and-gold-foiled slipcase also contains:

* Stunning 60-page hard-bound book including exclusive interview with George Michael, rare photos and memorabilia.

* Memorabilia envelope including 5 art prints, reproduction poster, tickets and tour pass from Faith tour.

* First 2,000 orders receive a specially-designed, numbered art print.

Erika Jayne Tops Billboard "Hot Dance Club Play Chart" with lates single "One Hot Pleasure"

2011-01-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

ERIKA JAYNE

TOPS BILLBOARD “HOT DANCE CLUB PLAY CHART”

with latest single “ONE HOT PLEASURE”

MARKS THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE TIME ERIKA HAS

ACHIEVED THIS #1 POSITION

She’s now five for five.

Leading into 2011, bona fide chart queen ERIKA JAYNE has triumphantly returned to the #1 spot for the fifth consecutive time on Billboard’s “Hot Dance Club Play” chart this week. She’s vaulted to this spot with the sizzling “One Hot Pleasure,” propelled by a stable of killer remixes by Dave Aude, Ralphi Rosario, Sultan & Ned Shepard and DJ Mr. White plus a glittering video co-directed by famed photographer Mike Ruiz and MTV Video Music Award Nominee Mikey Minden.

The song--written and produced by Dave Aude and co-written with Nick Clow and Luciana (“I Like That”)--was released last month as the debut track on ERIKA’s Pretty Mess Records label. ERIKA’S previous singles “Rollercoaster,” “Stars,” “Give You Everything” and “Pretty Mess” from her debut album Pretty Mess also hit the #1 position this chart. “One Hot Pleasure”’s peak at #1 tops tracks by Katy Perry, Cher and Enrique Iglesias (featuring Ludacris and DJ Frank E) solidifying her as a major player in the pop and dance worlds.

States ERIKA, "I'm super excited that the first release off my label Pretty Mess Records has gone #1. Nothing feels better than creating and delivering the material to the fans that have supported me from the beginning."

Known for her alluring vocals, catchy melodies and electro beats, not to mention an infectious taste of decadence, pop vocalist, songwriter and performer Erika Jayne is a force to be reckoned with. The Atlanta-born, Los Angeles transplant hit #1 on Billboard’s dance charts with her first hit single “Rollercoaster.” It was soon followed by three more number one singles including “Stars,” “Give You Everything” and most recently “Pretty Mess.” According to Billboard, only thirteen acts have taken their first four hits to number one since the chart launched in 1976. Erika joins the ranks of dance giants, including Rihanna and The Pussycat Dolls, who have accomplished similar feats. She has been distinguished by industry powerhouse Billboard magazine and industry insiders for this “uncommon feat.”

“One Hot Pleasure” is Erika’s most recent #1 Billboard hit. Look for a new EP from Erika this spring.

Catch ERIKA JAYNE and her Pretty Mess crew on tour now at:

DATE CITY VENUE

Sat 1/15 San Diego, CA Eden

Fri 1/21 West Hollywood, CA Popstarz @ Ultra Suede

Sat 1/29 Tampa, FL Gbar

Sat 1/30 Orlando, FL Parliament House Disco

Thu 2/4 Kansas City, MO Harrah’s Voodoo Lounge

Fri 3/4 Miami, FL Dolce

Tue 3/8-Fri 3/11 Miami, FL Winter Music Conference (TBD)

www.PrettyMessRecords.com

www.facebook.com/erikajaynemusic

www.twitter.com/erikajayne

HEART ON MUSSELMAN'S APPLE SAUCE PRESENTS BRIAN BOITANO SKATING SPECTACTULAR

2010-12-16T16:51:00.000-08:00

MUSSELMAN’S APPLE SAUCE PRESENTS
BRIAN BOITANO
SKATING SPECTACULAR
AIRS ON NBC
DECEMBER 26, 2010 AT
4:00 PM ET/ 1:00PM PT
STARRING MUSICAL GUESTS HEART
FEATURING MICHAEL WEISS, STEVEN COUSINS, RYAN
BRADLEY, YUKA SATO, ELENA LEONOVA & ANDREI
KHAVALKO, SINEAD & JOHN KERR, and American Open
Champion and Specialty Act IRINA GRIGORIAN &
MIKHAIL PANIN

Olympic gold-medalist Brian Boitano and musical guest Heart star in Musselman’s Apple Sauce presents BRIAN BOITANO SKATING SPECTACULAR, a new theatrical figure skating event to be broadcast on NBC Sunday, December 26, 2010 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM ET / 1:00 – 3:00 PM PT. Special guest stars include three time National Champion and two time World Bronze Medalist Michael Weiss, as well as eight time British National Champion Steven Cousins, US Silver Medalist Ryan Bradley, World Champion Yuka Sato, two time World Professional Pairs Champions Elena Leonova & Andrei Khvalko, seven time British National Champions Sinead & John Kerr, and American Open Champion and specialty act Irina Grigorian & Mikhail Panin. The one-night-only gold medal spectacular will be taped on the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Tickets for the one-night event are: $45, $35, and $22. Tickets may be purchased at the Tyson Events Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. For more information regarding the Tyson Events Center / Gateway Arena, please visit www.tysoncenter.com. Tickets for Musselman’s Apple Sauce presents BRIAN BOITANO SKATING SPECTACULAR starring Heart are currently on sale. Metabolife has also committed to be a Presenting Sponsor of this live show and NBC telecast. Musselman’s Apple Sauce presents BRIAN BOITANO SKATING SPECTACULAR will feature a live musical performance by the band Heart. HEART sold more than 30 million records, had 21 Top 40 hits, sold out arenas worldwide, and had a profound influence on rock music. In 2010, HEART released their first new album in six years, Red Velvet Car. “Heart is a band that transcends time and their music is classic” said Brian Boitano. “Through the years Heart hascontinually re-invented themselves and we are excited to show audiences how closely their music and skating are
intertwined.”

Musselman’s Apple Sauce presents BRIAN BOITANO SKATING SPECTACULAR is directed and choreographed by Renee Roca, three-time U.S Champion. This is Renee’s 6th year directing and choreographing Boitano’s show. Executive Producer is Disson Skating. White Canvas Productions is the producer (Scott Williams, Producer and Brian Boitano, Artistic Director.) Comcast-Spectacor entered into a partnership with Disson Skating in January of 2006, to take figure skating to a whole new level and has quickly become the leading producers of televised ice skating shows in the United States and Canada. The lighting and set design is by David Finley Associates with costume design by Beaver Bauer. Olympic champion Brian Boitano changed the face of figure skating single-handedly raising the level of professionalism in the sport. Boitano captured his first National title in 1985 and went on to win two World titles and the 1988 Olympic Gold Medal. Brian is known for his powerful command of the ice and of course the Olympic Gold battle of the Brians. Boitano’s competitive record is unmatched. It includes 4 national titles, 2 world titles and more professional titles than any other skater in the history of the sport. Among those titles are 6 World Professional Championships. Brian is a member of the USOC Hall of Fame. In addition, Boitano starred in his own tour "Boitano/Witt Skating" and won a Primetime Emmy for his starring role in Carmen on Ice (HBO). In 1994, he formed White Canvas Productions, the company where he serves as President and Artistic Director. Brian recently debuted a television series on the Food Network in his weekly cooking show, "What Would Brian Boitano Make?" which showcases his culinary skills and witty off ice personality. The December 26th broadcast on NBC marks the 21st skating special that White Canvas has produced.

HEART first showed the world that women can rock when Ann Wilson and her younger sister Nancy Wilson stormed the charts in the ‘70s with hits like “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Straight On,” “Even It Up,” and so many more. Not only did the Wilson sisters lead the band, they wrote the songs, and played the instruments too, making the first women in rock to do so. HEART continued topping the charts through the ‘80s and into the ‘90s with huge hits like “These Dreams,” “Alone,” “What About Love,” “If Looks Could Kill,” “Never,” and a string of other hits that showcased the sisters’ enormous talents as both musicians and singers. Along the way, HEART sold more than 30 million records, had 21 Top 40 hits, sold out arenas worldwide, and had a profound influence on rock music.

Erika Jayne returns to the clubs with 'One Hot Pleasure'

2010-12-08T15:04:00.000-08:00

LIVE SHOWS CONFIRMED FOR

CHICAGO, NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES, SAN FRANCISCO AND MORE

Starting this weekend in Chicago, pop glam’s reigning songstress ERIKA JAYNE will set off on a run of club dates in support of her new track “One Hot Pleasure,” the follow-up to her four consecutive #1 Billboard smashes. Accompanied by a bevy of professional dancers with scorching new dance moves and adorned in show-stopping ensembles, ERIKA JAYNE shakes up the status quo with her new show that is planned for her special appearances in New York, Tampa, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami.

Currently at #9 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart, “One Hot Pleasure” was released last month as the debut track on ERIKA’s Pretty Mess Records label. It was written and produced by Dave Aude and co-written with Nick Clow and Luciana, who currently has the chart-topping hit “I Like That.” The video for “One Hot Pleasure”—co-directed by famed photographer Mike Ruiz and MTV Video Music Award Nominee Mikey Minden—embodies fantasy, glamour and undeniable sex appeal which is also captured in her new stage show.

Recently touted by music blog Music Is My King Size Bed (11/9/10), “Not only does Jayne look hotter and fiercer than ever in this steamy video but the song is a sexy club-stomper even without the visual aid. Now grab your disco balls and get ready to dance!”

Confirmed ERIKA JAYNE appearances include:

DATE CITY VENUE

Sat 12/11 Naperville (Chicago), IL Zero Gravity (B96 Jingle Bash afterparty)

Thu 12/16 New York, NY Campus Thursdays @ Splash

Fri 12/17 New York, NY F WORD @ Splash

Sat 12/18 Tampa, FL Gbar

Sun 12/19 Orlando, FL Parliament House

Thu 12/30 San Francisco, CA The Crib

Fri 12/31 West Hollywood, CA Cherry Pop and Mr Black Present Factory

Thu 2/4 Kansas City, MO Harrah’s Voodoo Lounge

Tue 3/8-Fri 3/11 Miami, FL Winter Music Conference (TBD)

About Erika Jayne

Known for her alluring vocals, catchy melodies and electro beats, not to mention an infectious taste of decadence, pop vocalist, songwriter and performer Erika Jayne is a force to be reckoned with. The Atlanta-born, Los Angeles transplant hit #1 on Billboard’s dance charts with her first hit single “Rollercoaster.” It was soon followed by three more number one singles including “Stars,” “Give You Everything” and most recently “Pretty Mess.” Erika Jayne is a bona fide queen of the charts. According to Billboard, only thirteen acts have taken their first four hits to number one since the chart launched in 1976. Erika joins the ranks of dance giants, including Rihanna and The Pussycat Dolls, who have accomplished similar feats. She has been distinguished by industry powerhouse Billboard magazine and industry insiders for this “uncommon feat.”

Click here to view Erika Jayne on Yahoo! Music.

www.PrettyMessRecords.com

www.facebook.com/erikajaynemusic

www.twitter.com/erikajayne

SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES POPMARKET.COM

2010-12-02T14:24:00.000-08:00

SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES POPMARKET.COM,

THE ULTIMATE ONLINE SHOPPING CLUB FOR MUSIC FANS

Members Offered Hottest Deals On World's Coolest Music

* * * * *

Sony Music Entertainment announces the launch of PopMarket.com, the ultimate online destination shopping club for music fans offering its members limited-time private sales on the world's coolest music.

A member's-only online initiative designed for music fans, bargain hunters and serious collectors alike, PopMarket.com offers a 24-hour limited time Daily Deal (changing each day at 12noon Eastern) and five channels (changing weekly) containing a mix of premium music and merchandise available for a limited time at exclusive member's-only prices. PopMarket membership is free.

"Sony Music Entertainment is proud to be the first music company to open its vaults to music lovers and provide them with an elegant direct-to-consumer online shopping experience," said Adam Block, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Legacy Recordings, Sony Music Entertainment's catalog division. "Secure, seamless and convenient, PopMarket is open 24-7, offering fans exceptional values on great music."

Now live, PopMarket.com provides a rare window of opportunity to purchase rare and collectible albums, boxed sets, memorabilia and more at deeply-discounted member's-only prices. PopMarket's inventory is limited and products are sold on a first come basis.

PopMarket has already offered deluxe boxed sets by Santana, Alabama, Ken Burns Jazz, Simon & Garfunkel and The Clash with future Daily Deals to include albums and collections by Dave Brubeck, Neil Diamond, Billie Holiday, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Aerosmith and many more.

Product channel categories have included Country Legends (classic recordings from American country artists, 30th Anniversary (deluxe box sets of recordings that have stood the test of time), framed Gold Records from music's biggest artists, Singer Songwriters, and limited edition artist-specific Collector Crates sets including a classic album, t-shirt and branded CD crate.

Upcoming weekly channel categories will include deals from the British Invasion, Romantic Hits, Diva Sets, Folk/Rock Legends, Punk & Glam Rock, American Jazz & Soul, Complete Artist Collections, Pop Sensations and dedicated campaigns focusing on music from the '60s, '70s and '80s.

A members-only site, PopMarket.com gives music fans unprecedented access to a limited time finite inventory of the coolest music on the planet.

BONA FIDE QUEEN OF THE CHARTS ERIKA JAYNE LAUNCHES PRETTY MESS RECORDS

2010-11-10T21:02:00.000-08:00

“ONE HOT PLEASURE” SINGLE

SET FOR LABEL DEBUT RELEASE

NOVEMBER 16

Vocal temptress, seductive songstress and bona fide chart queen ERIKA JAYNE is aiming to heat up this winter season with the launch of her own label, Pretty Mess Records. Currently working on new music for her second album (title TBA), the glamorous JAYNE will give a taste of what’s to come Tuesday, November 16 with the release of her new single “One Hot Pleasure.”

Written by Dave Audé, Luciana Caporaso (of the radio hit “I Like That” by Richard Vission & The Static Revenger starring Luciana) and Nick Clow, “One Hot Pleasure” sizzles just as the title of the song indicates. As the debut offering from her Pretty Mess Records, the song will be packaged with a striking video by JAYNE’s creative director and MTV Video music nominee Mikey Minden and visual collaborator, famed photographer Mike Ruiz, with remixes by Dave Audé, Ralphi Rosario, Dirty Loud, Sultan & Ned and Los Angeles newcomer Mr. White. In Touch Weekly captured a moment with ERIKA on the set of the video which can be viewed at http://www.intouchweekly.com/2010/09/out_about_96.php and you can catch a glimpse of the making of her video at www.PrettyMessRecords.com.

“Launching my own label allows me to make music that I enjoy and deliver my product,” states ERIKA. “Having full control over the music, the message and concept enables me to make the records I want to make and perform the songs I want to perform. There’s great freedom in that, and it makes for a lot of fun. I can’t wait for my fans to check out ‘One Hot Pleasure,’ it’s a fun sexy danceable track.”

Distinguished by industry powerhouse Billboard magazine for an “uncommon feat” (issue date 6/26/10), the Atlanta-born, Los Angeles transplant sent her first four consecutive singles--“Rollercoaster,” “Stars,” “Give You Everything” and “Pretty Mess”-- to #1 on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart. These chart-busting hits were featured on her 2009 debut album Pretty Mess. According to Billboard, only 13 acts have taken at least their first four hits to #1 since the chart launched in 1976 as a national weekly survey of the most-played tunes as reported by club DJs. ERIKA joins the ranks of dance giants, including Rihanna and The Pussycat Dolls, who have accomplished similar feats.

www.PrettyMessRecords.com
www.facebook.com/erikajaynemusic

www.twitter.com/erikajayne

BLUES ROCK RECORDING ARTIST KIRSTEN THIEN RELEASES THIRD CD "DELICIOUS" COURTESY OF SCREEN DOOR RECORDS

2010-11-07T13:38:00.000-08:00

Kirsten Thien and Screen Door announce the release of her third album, Delicious. This album has eleven songs with three of them being covers in which she either wrote or co-wrote. Originally from Maine and now residing in New York City, Kirsten Thien comes to us in an up-tempo fashion with her latest work showing us just why she won the Abe Olman Award for Excellence in Songwriting in 2009.

Kirsten Thien has been on the rise since 2001 and infuses her love for Aretha Franklin, traditional New Orleans jazz and the classic women blues singers of the 20's into all her album releases. Erik Boyd not only produced and played bass on the album but arranged the band for each song so that it would blend the talents of the band that tours with the NYC session cats from her last 2006 recording. They also added veteran blues heavyweights, Arthur Neilson (guitar), Billy Gibson (harmonica) and Hubert Sumlin (guitar) with Grammy nominated mixing engineer Dan Myers.

Performing Songwriter raved that "Thien's got a great set of pipes moving from Bonnie Raitt mellow to Aretha Franklin wailing high notes." Jamie Perkins of Portsmouth Herald says "Thien is a natural at songwriting. Weaving her way through the lyrical intricacies of relationships both positive and negative, she seasons her songs with dashes of instrumental differentiation." While The New Britain Herald says "The city's 'New Britain is Alive' lunch-time concert series ....got a toe-stomping start Wednesday with recording artist Kirsten Thien and her band." Don't miss this tasty, soothing and ripened band that blends with Kirsten's voice like "Warm apple pie your grandmother made for you" exclaimed Muzikreviews.

Kirsten Thien will be touring in and our around your neighborhood in the near future but for now here are some tour dates below.
Nov. 11 7:30 pm Williamsburg, VA J.M. Randall's
Nov. 12 8:00 pm Manteo, NC (OBX Marathon Weekend) Poor Richard's
Nov. 13 10:30 pm Kill Devil Hills, NC (OBX Marathon Weekend) Outer Banks Brewing Station
Nov. 19 7:30 pm Stroudburg, PA Sarah Street Grill

ASHMIN SKYY TO RELEASE “WRAPPED IN LOVE” ON NOVEMBER 9

2010-11-05T14:17:00.000-07:00

New single to debut in time for the Holiday season

(Orlando, FL) Ashmin Skyy, 14-year-old singer/songwriter and teen pop sensation will release her very first Christmas single, “Wrapped in Love,” to the world on November 9, 2010. With this new holiday song, Skyy hopes to warm the hearts of fans and families across the country during this very special time of year.

“‘Wrapped in Love’ is all about experiences and memories with family and friends during the holiday season,” says Skyy. “I’m really big on family and spending as much time with them as I can is important to me, especially this time of year. That’s why this song is so special to me, because it really reflects who I am. I’m very excited to release ‘Wrapped in Love’ and I know people will enjoy it!”

Ashmin Skyy will be appearing on the nationally-syndicated morning news show, The Daily Buzz on Wednesday, November 17th (check your local listings for air time), to perform “Wrapped in Love.” She will also be interviewed by the Daily Buzz crew about everything she has been doing leading up to the release of the single, and may even perform some additional songs. Additionally, the video for “Wrapped in Love” will also debut the same day on YouTube.

Ashmin Skyy is a dynamic young woman primed for excellence in today’s music scene. At only 14 years of age, Ashmin is determined to continue learning, living, growing and experiencing life to the fullest. Fans can visit Ashmin Skyy online and get more information about her on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter , Tumblr , and on her newly-launched website, AshminSkyy.com . ”Wrapped in Love” will be available for purchase on iTunes on November 9, 2010. Also, look for Skyy’s debut single and video, “Certified Teenager,” to be released January 11, 2011 (1.11.11).

About H2 Label Group

H2 Label Group has had double platinum hits, like Divine’s “Lately,” which was honored with a nomination at the 2003 Grammy Awards for R&B Song of the Year. H2 has also produced music for Grammy winners Pink and India Arie, and was previously managed by Johnny Wright (Justin Timberlake, The Jonas Brothers, and Ciara). Will Baker, H2 label head, and his partner, super producer Pete Woodruff, are currently in the studio scoring a new film, as well as recording music for the highly anticipated debut from 14 yr old singer/songwriter Ashmin Skyy. Together, they are the production talent behind Skyy’s new Christmas single, “Wrapped in Love.” For more information, visit h2labelgroup.com.

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK HEATS UP FALL WITH ENCORE ROLE IN ALVIN AILEY’S DANCE THEATER’S 5OTH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE

2010-10-13T06:25:00.000-07:00

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK, HOT OFF SINGLE, “ARE WE A NATION”
HEATS UP FALL WITH ENCORE ROLE IN ALVIN AILEY’S DANCE
THEATER’S 5OTH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE TO CLASSIC “REVELATIONS”

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING A CAPPELLA ENSEMBLE ALSO HAVE
NEW CD RELEASES ONLINE, “GO IN GRACE” AND CONTRIBUTE TO
“HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT!” CHILDREN’S FAMILY COMPILATION CD TO PROMOTE HEALTHY FOOD IN SCHOOLS

New York, NY October 8, 2010 – Grammy Award-winning a cappella vocal ensemble
Sweet Honey In The Rock, whose thought-provoking summer single/video “Are We Nation,” stirred up the national debate on the controversial SB-1070 Immigration Law that was enacted in Arizona, will heat up the fall with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater when it celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Ailey’s timeless, classic and spiritual dance piece, “Revelations.” The series of commemorative performance events are scheduled at the New York City Center from December 1, 2010 – January 2, 2011.

Legendary Alvin Ailey Artistic Director Judith Jamison will have the conductor’s baton dancing while directing Sweet Honey In The Rock, a full choir, and a ballet cast of 50 dancers, who will be performing “Revelations” for the first time ever. Sweet Honey In The Rock will bring their soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms to “Revelations,” at the December 1st Opening Night Gala and New Year’s Eve performances.

“Revelations” marks the second collaboration between Sweet Honey In The Rock and
the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In 2008, Sweet Honey In The Rock were featured guest performers in an original piece entitled, “Go In Grace,” which was a highlight of Alvin Ailey’s 50th Anniversary national dance tour. Sweet Honey In The Rock composed and performed the music for the mini-musical, which was directed and choreographed with dancers by Ailey protégé Hope Boykin. Sweet Honey In The Rock appeared in the anniversary production’s run at the New York City Center in December 2008, and in selected cities through early 2009. The “Go In Grace,” soundtrack was released independently by the group’s own record label, She-Rocks 5, Inc., and is now available on CDbaby.com.

In addition, Sweet Honey In The Rock contributed their song, “I Like It That Way,” to the recently released compilation CD, “Healthy Food For Thought: Good Enough To Eat.” Sweet Honey member Nitanju Bolade Casel individually penned a spoken word poem, “If I Really Am What I Eat,” which is also featured the CD. The double CD compilation fuses 60 music and spoken word tracks, and special guest appearances by Julian Lennon, Russell Simmons, Moby, Bill Harley, Michael O’Keefe, and Tom Chapin, among many others. In keeping with the nation’s initiatives regarding nutrition and childhood obesity awareness, all profits from the project are being donated to the New York Coalition for Healthy School Food. The CD can be purchased on CDbaby.com and iTunes.

Sweet Honey In The Rock’s single, “Are We A Nation,” is also available on CDbaby.com and iTunes, and the video can be seen on www.youtube.com.

The group has also joined forces for the second consecutive year with the 9th Annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days initiative. During the month of October, thousands of artist’s around the world will use the power of music to reaffirm their commitment to tolerance and “Harmony for Humanity.” For more information, please go to www.danielpearlmusicdays.org.

If you would like more information about Sweet Honey In The Rock, you can follow their ongoing activities by going to:

www.sweethoneyintherock.org
www.facebook.com/sweethoneyintherock
www.twitter.com/shoney73
www.youtube.com/sweethoneyinrock
www.myspace.com/sweethoneyintherock1973

What Nina taught Kellylee Evans

2010-09-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

We tend to think of tribute albums as being the work of fans, of musicians whose own identities wouldn’t have been fully formed without the influence of a classic artist. But while that’s true to some degree of Kellylee Evans’s new album, Nina, the young jazz singer’s relationship to the music and legend of Nina Simone is complicated, to say the least.

“I really didn’t like Nina Simone when I was growing up,” she says, over the phone from her home in Ottawa. “My mom listened to her all the time, but I wanted to listen to Michael Jackson and Blondie and stuff like that. I didn’t want to hear any of the stuff my mom had. But I was the one who put on the records, so she’d ask me to go down and put on Nina records.

Click here to continue reading 'What Nina taught Kellylee Evans'

Blues Bytes: Bob Corritore Review

2010-09-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

Harmonica Blues (Delta Groove Music) marks Bob Corritore’s 40th anniversary as a harmonica player. Corritore’s life was changed when, as a 12 year old, he heard Muddy Waters on the radio. Within a year, he was playing harmonica and stocking up on blues records. He got his start backing John Henry Davis on Maxwell Street, and hung out with harp players like Big Walter Horton, Carey Bell, Little Mack Simmons, Louis Myers, and Junior Wells, learning from each and every one of them. In the late ’70s/early ’80s, he produced recordings for artists like Little Willie Anderson and Big Leon Brooks before heading south to Phoenix.

In Phoenix, Corritore made his mark as a performer (with Big Pete Peterson, Chico Chism, Janiva Magness, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, among others), a radio show host (“These Lowdown Blues” on KJZZ since 1984), and a club owner (the Rhythm Room, since 1991). Over time, Corritore and his band would back many great blues artists on shows and recording sessions. He’s released many of these performances on some outstanding collections since 1999 for various labels. Harmonica Blues captures 15 fantastic performances recorded over the past couple of decades, teaming Corritore with an all-star cast of blues legends.

CLICK HERE to read more on Blues Bytes

Erika Jayne in Orlando Style

2010-09-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

Pretty Mess:

She's equal parts Hollywood glamour and S&M chic.

What does the intersection between fashion and music look like? It looks like stylista, pop princess, dance diva and No. 1 Billboard chart-topper Erika Jayne.

CLICK HERE to read the Orlando Style Article

BLOGCRITICS Music Review: Life in Between - Handful of Luvin

2010-09-22T17:20:00.001-07:00

Have you ever heard about the blind men and the elephant? Six blind men are near an elephant when a wise man asked them to describe what it looked like by what they felt. One felt a leg and described the elephant as a pillar. One felt the tail and described the elephant like a rope. On and on. Each described the elephant based on their own personal experience - and all of them were right.

What do six blind people have to do with Handful of Luvin's album Life in Between? Sometimes I feel that describing music is the same way... And this album is tough to describe. Each track has a slightly different "feel" that feeds into the eclectic mix of this rock quartet. But if you take each track on its own, you only hear part of the truth.

COSMO Presents Miles High Productions Chip Schutzman: Digital Marketing Strategies for Musicians

2010-09-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

The Coalition of Songwriter & Music Organizations (COSMO), www.cosmocoalition.org, will host a special afternoon workshop with social media’s intuitive trailblazer, Chip Schutzman, Pres., Miles High Productions, www.mileshighproductions.com, Sat. Oct. 16, 2010, from 1pm – 4pm at the Guitar Merchant, 7503 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd, Canoga Park, CA, 91303. Chip will be presenting “Digital Marketing Strategies for Musicians”, an intensive, hands-on, workshop for serious-minded artists interested in planning a successful internet profit center and learning more about social media.

and made payable to info@cosmocoalition.org. (Registration the day of the workshop is $20 at the door.) If you wish to pre-register by mail with a personal check or money order made out to COSMO, or to request press interview access, vip industry passes or all other inquiries, please contact Toni Koch, COSMO HQ 818-831-1704 or email info@cosmocoalition.org.

Chip Schutzman is President and founder of Miles High Productions, an online music marketing and promotion company founded in 2002. Chip is responsible for all business development and operations and is responsible for communications with over 25,000 web sites and media outlets internationally.

Chip formed MHP in July of 2003 after observing a gradual lack of efforts made to effectively promote artists online. Sometimes limited resources to market artists in a traditional sense and the results are minimal based on today’s trends in downsizing of companies and lack of resources. MHP’s list of services to music labels, artist management and artists and to other companies are a compliment or supplement to co-existing traditional marketing plan strategies.

In the last few years, Miles High Productions has worked with over 150 artists and dozens of established record labels including EMI America, Capitol Records, Blue Note Records, Universal Music Group, Warner Brothers Entertainment, Bayside Distribution, Fontana and several other high profiled record labels and distribution companies.

Miles High Productions is recognized and known in the recording industry community for developing emerging artists and represent artists online from popular music formats such as jazz, electronica, dance, rock, blues, country, singer-songwriter, pop and other music genres.

Prior to starting Miles High Productions, Chip was the Director of Music Programming for House of Blues Entertainment and is credited with the initial content development for HOB Digital (hob.com). As the evolution of the internet took place, Chip was instrumental in turning hob.com into the leading live music provider on the web by developing, positioning and maintaining key relationships with artists, managers and record labels to secure digital rights for webcasts, interviews, and marketing of special projects. He is also accredited with the development of 20 internet radio stations within the HOB Radio Network, and was responsible for maintaining content distribution deals with AOL, MTV Interactive, DMX Music and MSN Music.

In 1998, Chip implemented music downloads of exclusive live music and initiated the 99 cent purchase model several years prior to the formation of the iTunes Music Store. Chip has consulted and completed online marketing campaigns for several platinum selling artists including Barbra Streisand, Jewel, Gary Allan, Peter Frampton, The Bee Gees, Coldplay, Olivia Newton-John, Ozzy Osbourne and Heart and worked on a multiple CD compilation in honor of the 50th Grammy Awards in 2008. Chip currently resides in Los Angeles and is also a guest lecture speaker at several universities across the USA including Boston University, Berklee College of Music, Temple University, UCLA and NYU.

The Guitar Merchant, www.guitarmerchant.com, supports our COSMO events and asks those attending to be respectful of neighbors when parking cars. You can visit the Guitar Merchant 7 days a week with a friendly staff, wonderful teachers and quality live entertainment often.

“HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT?

To pre-register online, please go to www.paypal.com and email your $15 per person fee to info@cosmocoalition.org. Day of the workshop the fee will be $20 cash, check or credit card. If you wish to pre-register by sending us a check or money order in lieu of Paypal please call Toni at 818-831-1704 for COSMO’s HQ mailing address or to discuss special registrations for individuals, large groups or music students.

Junior's Cave: Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series

2010-09-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

Junior’s Cave music Page, Music Now, is pleased to present one of our featured bands/artists for the week. Meet Handful of Luvin', one of the coolest sounding bands we have had the pleasure to listen to so far in our publication career. With a perfectly blended style of several genres, Handful of Luvin' is going to become an all time favorite with music fans and our readers of this magazine. Make sure to check them out on their official website (listed at the end of this interview) and buy their new CD; it’s worth it. Here the official interview for your reading pleasure.

CLICK HERE to read the interview

Heart's Red Velvet Car reviewed by Blogcritics

2010-09-02T06:25:00.000-07:00

Nothing beats live music. Hands down, the live experience trumps any audio or video recording I've ever seen of an artist performing. That said, the next best thing is a concert recording, preferably video so you can see the actual performance instead of simply listening to it.

CLICK HERE to read more on Blogcritics.org

Handful of Luvin' - Life In Between review by The Ripple Effect

2010-08-26T12:04:00.000-07:00

Seattle. According to Bobby Sherman “the bluest skies you’ve ever see are in Seattle.” It is the city from which sprang late-1980’s grunge bands such as Pearl Jam and Nirvana. Okay, they were great bands, but, what has Seattle done for us lately? Can’t really say grunge has survived or evolved since the late 1990’s. So what is the new Seattle sound

Handful Of Luvin. Founded in 2002 and in Seattle since 2005, Handful Of Luvin has crafted a unique sound. Part folk, part Celtic, part classical, all alternative rock - the band mixes the guitar and vocals of singer David John Wellnitz; the violin, viola and keyboards of Andrew Joslyn; the bass, banjo and background vocals of Patrick Files; and the drums and percussion of Michael Knight.

Who do they sound like? Their publicity package places their sound with groups like the Dave Matthews Band, Phish and Wilco. It also categorizes the music as “Roots Rocks [sic], Folk, Celtic, Jam, Americana.” You can hear some elements of these bands and genres on this, their third album, “Life In Between,” but, Handful Of Luvin’s sound is unique to Handful Of Luvin. It has the lilt of Celtic music, but it is American. It is cerebral. It is different.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the review on The Ripple Effect.

Heart To Release Red Velvet Car on August 31 on Sony Legacy

2010-08-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

Heart Will Be In New York Release Week To Appear on The Today Show, Fox & Friends, ShopNBC and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

“WTF” and “Hey You” Seeing Success at Radio

Los Angeles, California, August 24, 2010 – With anticipation mounting for Heart’s August 31 release of their first new studio album in six years, Red Velvet Car, Heart is seeing success on the road and at radio with their singles “WTF” and “Hey You” seeing increased airplay on AC, AAA and Classic Rock stations across the country. Ann and Nancy Wilson will be in New York City in support of their new release and will be appearing on several national television shows including: “Fox & Friends” (9/1,) “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” (9/2,) “The Today Show” (8/31,) and “ShopNBC” (8/29.) Appearances on “The Joy Behar Show” will air on August 25 and on NPR’s “Weekend Edition” on September 4.

“The barracudas are back and at the top of their game.” (Rolling Stone, September 2, 2010)

“Aggressive, Delicate and Enduring” (New York Times, August 4, 2010)

"Red Velvet Car, to be released by Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings, boasts an evolved sound that doesn't pander to the iPod generation. The women of Heart have strong stories to tell through the music.” (The Virginian-Pilot, August 13, 2010)

Like all Heart albums, Red Velvet Car rocks hard but also has a deep acoustic side. Nancy Wilson has long been known to play her acoustic guitar with rock ferocity. This time an abundance of resonant acoustic instruments (guitars, mandolin, dobro, banjo, fiddle, viola, cello, and autoharp), played by Nancy Wilson and the album’s producer, Ben Mink, are showcased in Heart’s unique style. Nine of the album's songs were written for, and appear for the first time on Red Velvet Car. The album's closer, "Sand," is a newly recorded version of a song originally written and recorded by the Lovemongers, Ann and Nancy's 1990's acoustic side project. The release of Red Velvet Car heralds Legacy's forthcoming reissues of the classic Heart catalog in new physical and digital editions.

Ann Wilson and her younger sister, Nancy Wilson, first showed the world that women can rock when their band Heart stormed the charts in the '70s with hits like "Crazy on You," "Magic Man," "Barracuda," ‘Straight On," "Even It Up," "Kick It Out" and so many more. Not only did the Wilson sisters lead the band, they wrote the songs, and played the instruments too, making them the first women in rock to do so. Heart continued topping the charts through the ‘80s and into the ‘90s with huge hits like "These Dreams," "Alone," "What About Love," "If Looks Could Kill," "Never," and a string of other hits that showcased the sisters’ enormous talents as both musicians and singers. Along the way, Heart sold more than 30 million records, had 21 top 40 hits, sold out arenas worldwide, and had a profound influence on rock music.

Tour Dates

August 26 Denver, CO Paramount Theater

August 27 Grand Junction, CO Rock Jam Festival

August 29 Grand Island, NE Nebraska State Fair

September 3 Clarkston, MI DTE Energy Center

September 4 St. Charles, MO Family Arena

September 5 Quapaw, OK Downstream Casino

September 18 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheater

September 19 Lemoore, CA Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino

September 21 Eugene, OR Cuthbert Amphitheater

September 23 Santa Rosa, CA Wells Fargo Center for the Arts

September 24 Ridgefield, WA Sleep Country Amphitheater

September 25 Puyallup, WA Western Washington Fair

Richie Loop Performs at Jamaica’s 48th Independence Day Grand Gala

2010-08-26T12:01:00.000-07:00

Kingston, Jamaica :- Today marks 48 years since the Island of Jamaica gained her independence and there is no better way to celebrate this great occasion than to see great performances, especially one that comes with a cup.

Among the many performances at today's Independence Day Grand Gala at the National Stadium in Kingston, popular star Richie Loop is expected to be one sure to have the crowd dancing and skipping in celebration.

When asked why Richie Loop was chosen as one of the artistes to headline the grand event, representative of Rose and Company, Alvin Campbell stated that Richie Loop has come to be one of the biggest names in dancehall music this year. "His music epitomizes what the Jamaican culture is all about, he is a family entertainer and the Grand Gala is a family event". Campbell has no doubt that Richie's performance will be a memorable one as he believes Richie's name alone can excite the National Stadium audience. "Even if Richie goes and stage and doesn't say a word, the crowd would still be excited and elated to see him so I have no doubt he will mash it up," Campbell said.

Richie Loop first exploded on the dancehall scene this year with his smash club hit My Cup which took the streets by storm and had everyone swinging with a cup. His silky smooth lyrics and clean cut look captivates his audience everywhere he goes. His follow-up hits Party Time, Party like it your Birthday featuring Busy Signal and D Major are currently riding the airwaves and persons can look out for the video for the My Cup remix Cup Cup which will be released within the next week.

As for Richie Loop, he is very excited about the performance as this is a monumental occasion for him. "I am very elated to have been considered to be a part of tomorrow festivities. This date means so much to our nation and at this young age and stage in my career for me to be getting an opportunity to share in it, words can't express. I think this maybe one of my most memorable events to come - knowing the power and value of this event to me as a Jamaican and the entire population", Richie Loop state.

Patrons in the National Stadium can expect a vibrant performance with great choreography from Richie Loop. "I am planning to ensure that all in attendance, as well as the viewers at home, will have as much fun as I will in celebrating our nation’s independence." The Independence Day Grand Gala begins at 5pm tomorrow at the National Stadium and it is expected to be one Jamaicans will never forget.

Handful of Luvin’ Release Eclectic Recording Life In Between

2010-08-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

Hollywood, CA-July 27, 2010-Handful of Luvin’ refers to their music as “fiddle driven roots rock” however with their latest offering Life in Between they prove to be all of that and more.

Handful of Luvin’ began in Bellingham, WA, in 2002, when college students Andrew Joslyn and David John connected while studying. Moving to Seattle in 2005, David John (vocals and guitar) and Andrew Joslyn (violin/viola) completed the lineup with bass guitarist Patrick Files, and drummer Michael Knight.

"A potpourri of all great bands we've loved before, each member brings his own unique sound and experience to the stage, formulating an utterly beautiful frenzy.” - Seattle Weekly

The group members are as diverse as their music, playing in different bands in the Seattle area to keep their instruments and experiences sharp. With Life in Between destined for success, their ever growing following in Washington is about to go worldwide with an album that cannot be clearly defined. Although critics and listeners may not be able to tag the indie roots rockers, their music will capture the imagination of listeners yearning for something different than the mainstream cookie cutter sounds that are so popular amongst youth these days.

To say their music is diverse is putting it mildly as Life In Between gives listeners something different to swallow on every one of the thirteen tracks. Even though the music is not quite definable it will hold you under its spell consistently throughout the entire album.

Life In Between has already earned the band critical praise from both fans and press alike, including a spot on King 5 Evening Magazine and their recent “Top 5 Best Local Bands in Western Washington” list and engaging reviews in places like Seattle Weekly, Tacoma’s Weekly Volcano, and several others.

The expectation for this band to catch on is obvious at the outset of the new release and surely there will be more critical acclaim to arrive soon from neighboring states and countries once the word gets out about the variety and amazing musicianship that Handful of Luvin’ can offer listeners.

Tune in and turn on to Handful of Luvin’ on their new release and visit their website to stay updated on all of the recent news as the word spreads about Life In Between.

Heart - Red Velvet Car review by Backstage Axxess

2010-07-21T22:54:00.001-07:00

Heart will be releasing their 13th studio effort ‘Red Velvet Car’ on Sony Legacy Records on August 31, 2010 in North America (August 30 in Europe.) Included on the European release are two extra tracks called “Bootful of Beer” and “Closer to the Sun.” The band still consists of rock icons Ann and Nancy Wilson, Ben Smith (drums), Craig Bartock (guitar), Debbie Shair (Keyboards) and studio bassist Rik Markmann, who contributed his talents to this album.

CLICK HERE to read more at Backstage Axxess

ERIKA JAYNE ACHIEVES KEY BILLBOARD CHART DISTINCTION

2010-07-14T18:44:00.000-07:00

ERIKA JAYNE

ACHIEVES KEY BILLBOARD CHART DISTINCTION

WITH LATEST #1 SINGLE

“PRETTY MESS”

THE DANCE/POP SENSATION CONTINUES

HER TOUR ACROSS AMERICA

As Pop vocalist and songwriter ERIKA JAYNE continues to tour the country behind her debut album PRETTY MESS on E1 Records, she has been cited by Billboard magazine for “the uncommon feat of sending her first four entries to the top of chart” (issue date 6/26/10). Known for her alluring vocals, catchy melodies and electro beats, not to mention an infectious taste of decadence, the ultra-glamorous ERIKA achieved this four #1’s-in-a-row distinction when the “Pretty Mess” single hit #1 on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart, coming on the heels of her three previous #1 singles on this chart. According to Billboard, only 13 acts have taken at least their first four hits to #1 since the chart launched in 1976 as a national weekly survey of the most-played tunes as reported by club DJs. ERIKA joins the ranks of dance giants, including Rihanna and The Pussycat Dolls, who have accomplished similar feats.

The Atlanta-born, Los Angeles transplant began her Billboard streak with her first #1 single “Rollercoaster” in 2007 and followed with a chart-topper each successive year with “Stars” and “Give You Everything.” ERIKA’s four #1 Billboard hits are featured on PRETTY MESS.

The success of the “Pretty Mess” single was propelled by a stellar remix package featuring reworkings by some of today’s most in-demand producers: Dave Aude, Tracy Young, DJ Escape & Johnny Vicious, Larry Tee, Bill Hamel, Klubjumpers, Peter Rafelson and Marshall Stack; as well as a sexy and provocative video cut to the Dave Aude remix and co-directed by VMA-nominated choreographer, artistic director Mikey Minden (Pussy Cat Dolls, Girlicious, Paradiso Girls) and famed photographer Mike Ruiz. Check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qN3Ry2bMg0.

Meanwhile, ERIKA continues to dazzle club audiences with her live show which includes a performance of a new, unreleased song “One Hot Pleasure,” for which she has just shot a video. Stay tuned for more news about this and catch her this summer at:

DATE CITY VENUE

Sat 7/17 San Diego, CA San Diego Pride Event at 4th & B

Sun 7/18 South Beach, FL Miami Fashion Week Swim Closing @ The Setai

Sun 7/18 South Beach, FL B Bar After Party (Appearance)

Mon 7/19 South Beach, FL Kill Your Idol

Tue 7/20 Miami, FL Lexus Event (Appearance)

Thu 7/22 South Beach, FL Twist

Fri 7/23 South Beach, FL Living Room

Sat 7/24 Miami, FL Discotekka

Sat 8/14 Fire Island Pines, NY Accension Tea Dance

Sun 8/15 Guerneville, CA Sundance at The Russian River

Sun 8/22 San Jose, CA San Jose Pride Main Stage

www.erikajayne.com

www.myspace.com/erikajaynemusic

Slightly Stoopid Headlining US Tour Dates w/ Cypress Hill and Steel Pulse

2010-06-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

With their grassroots approach, the members of Slightly Stoopid have built a worldwide following of die-hard fans. - Live Daily

It might be tempting to lump Ocean Beach’s Slightly Stoopid in with a myriad of, for lack of a better description, stoner bands, but you’d be completely missing a key point: this is a group of incredibly creative and capable musicians. With 6 members, they are able to relay an incredibly rich sound, complete with horns, keys, and some truly amazing acoustic work - Ultimate Guitar

What this band creates musically has much more depth and versatility than what the minimalistic term of “stoner music” implies. - Examiner.com

San Diego-based dub/rock/psychedelic-jam phenoms SLIGHTLY STOOPID have just announced a massive headlining U.S. tour accompanied by legendary hip-hop group Cypress Hill and reggae artist Collie Buddz. The tour, named Cauzin Vapors... Legalize It, and riding behind the political undertones of "legalizing it," will kick off in mid-July and see both bands traveling from California to New York, along the entire eastern coastline, and across the country, with stops at this year's acclaimed Lollapalooza festival in Chicago and the Mile High Music Festival in Colorado. Prior to their July dates, SLIGHTLY STOOPID will start their Summer festivities by traversing the entire West Coast with the mighty Steel Pulse and friends and label-mates The Expendables, in addition to more Summer festival performances to be announced. Tickets for Stoopid's Legalize It tour are available now.

Slightly Stoopid has recently logged some serious road miles as part of their annual Summer Ampitheater Tours. Past creative touring partners and lineups include Snoop Dogg, The Marley's, G Love & Special Sauce, Ozomatli, Sly & Robbie and Pepper. They have also shared the stage with Dave Matthews Band, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, The Roots, Toots and the Maytals, Bad Religion, among others over the course of their career. In addition to their incessant criss-crossing of the U.S., which also includes previous appearances at other prestigious festivals such as Coachella, Austin City Limits, and New Orleans Jazz Fest, the group has played sold-out shows in Australia, Japan, Guam, Amsterdam, Portugal and Denmark, the U.K., Germany, Holland, and the Dominican Republic. “Without [the fans], we’d just be playing at the bar,” admits Kyle. “They make it worth our while – when we go out and people are having that good of a time, the energy goes back and forth. Just a good time – we rely on each other’s energy.” And all you have to do is look at the list of artists that Slightly Stoopid has played with, to get a feel for how much of a large and diverse audience they appeal to.

The Slightly Stoopid story can be traced to Ocean Beach, California, when childhood chums Miles and Kyle formed the group in 1995, mixing reggae and punk sounds into one smooth stylistic cocktail. Soon after, late/great Sublime frontman Brad Nowell caught wind of the group, and signed them to his Skunk Records label – while the band members were still in high school. A pair of releases soon followed for Skunk - 1996's punk-tinged SLIGHTLY STOOPID (featuring a guest appearance by Nowell on the song “Prophet” – later covered by Sublime and released on their box set, EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN) and 1998's surf-inspired cult classic THE LONGEST BARREL RIDE. Most recently, the band has continued their mainstream successes, seeing their last two albums, 2007's CHRONCHITIS, (which featured guest appearances by Guru of Gang Starr, Angelo Moore of Fishbone, Money Mark of the Beastie Boys and G. Love) and 2008's SLIGHTLY NOT STONED ENOUGH TO EAT BREAKFAST YET STOOPID, charting in the Billboard Top 100, with both albums appearing on the band's own Stoopid Records.

To date, the band has sold over 750,000 records on their own label, has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and has had their songs appear on hit television series' Scrubs, The O.C., Cribs, and more. Slightly Stoopid has also consistently been selling out venues and ampitheaters across the country for the past 3+ years and consistently appear on Pollstar's top grossing tours.

Cauzin’ Vapors... Legalize It 2010 Tour Dates

w/ Steel Pulse & The Expendables
6/18 Jacksonville, OR - Britt Pavilion
6/19 Seattle, WA - Marymoor Amphitheater
6/20 Spokane, WA – Riverside Park Amphitheater
6/22 Missoula, MT - Ryan Creek Meadows
6/23 Boise, ID – Idaho Center Amphitheater

w/ The Expendables
6/24 Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
6/25 Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock Pool
6/26 Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre

w/ Cypress Hill
7/16 Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/17 San Diego, CA - Cricket Pavilion

w/ Cypress Hill & Collie Buddz
7/22 Boston, MA - Bank Of America Pavilion
7/23 Boston, MA - Bank Of America Pavilion
7/24 Danbury, CT - Ives Concert Park
7/25 Asbury Park, NJ - TBA
7/28 Raleigh, NC - Raleigh Amphitheatre
7/30 Portsmouth, VA - nTelos Pavilion
7/31 Philadelphia, PA - Penn's Landing
8/01 Buffalo, NY - Rocks The Harbor
8/04 Detroit, MI - State Theater
8/06 Columbus, OH - LC Outdoor Pavilion
8/07 Chicago, IL - Lollapalooza
8/08 Minneapolis, MN - Cabooze Outdoors (no Cypress Hill)
8/12 Kansas City, MO - Crossroads
8/13 Omaha, NE - Anchor Inn
8/14 Commerce City, CO - Mile High Music Festival
8/18 Myrtle Beach, SC - House Of Blues
8/19 Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle
8/20 Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
8/21 West Boca Raton, FL - Sunset Cove Amphitheatre

For more information, visit: www.slightlystoopid.com | www.myspace.com/stoopid

A RESPONSE TO ARIZONA’S IMMIGRATION LAW SB-1070 THROUGH SONG

2010-06-16T12:24:00.001-07:00

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING AND INTERNATIONALLY
RENOWNED A CAPPELLA ENSEMBLE
SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK
TO RELEASE, “ARE WE A NATION?”
A RESPONSE TO ARIZONA’S IMMIGRATION LAW SB-1070
THROUGH SONG

“…I have always believed art is the conscience of the human soul and that artists have the responsibility not only to show life as it is but to show life as it should be. … Sweet Honey In The Rock has withstood the onslaught. She has been unprovoked by the 30 pieces of silver. Her songs lead us to the well of truth that nourishes the will and courage to stand strong.
She is the keeper of the flame.”

…Harry Belafonte, artist and activist

(June 11, 2010 – New York, NY) On April 23, 2010, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed what The New York Times described as “the nation’s toughest bill on illegal immigration…reigniting the divisive battle over immigration reform nationally.” In response to SB-1070 being enacted, the acclaimed women’s a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock, decided to take action and lift her collective voice through song against the bill. The song, ARE WE A NATION?, will be released by Sweet Honey’s independent record label SHE-ROCKS 5 on Tuesday, June 22 via CD Baby (www.cdbaby.com), the nation’s largest online distributor of independent music and should be available on all major online music sites such as iTunes and Amazon.com by June 29. The song’s music video, directed and produced by James Lester, will be released online June 22. A portion of the funds from the sales of ARE WE A NATION? will go to the Center for Community Change. Sweet Honey and the Center will offer a free download of the song on their respective web sites for one week June 14-21 (www.sweethoney.com) and www.communitychange.org ). Additionally, the single will be available through streaming only at www.facebook.com/sweethoneyintherock during this time.

“Sweet Honey In The Rock has, since 1973, created musical ways to express outrage and compassion, to nurture and empower our audiences, and to document the times, and to preserve and extend African American vocal traditions,” Sweet Honey member Ysaye Barnwell said. “We grew out of the Civil Rights Movement, stood and sang in opposition to the apartheid movement in South Africa and we continue to struggle in solidarity with oppressed people throughout the world where greed, hatred and fear abound. We can not condone Arizona’s law SB-1070.”

“The Center for Community Change is thrilled to partner with Sweet Honey in the Rock in the fight to fix our broken immigration system and challenge the misguided Arizona law,” Deepak Bhargava, executive director of the Center for Community Change said. “We are so appreciative of the role that Sweet Honey in the Rock play as artists and the messages they promote as activists. The song ARE WE A NATION? will catapult the immigration issue into pop culture and challenge Americans to become active in the fight for social justice and immigrant rights, in Arizona and across the country.”

Founded in 1968 to honor the life and values of Robert F. Kennedy, the Center for Community Change is one of the longest-standing champions for low-income people and communities of color. The mission of the Center is to build the power and capacity of low-income people, especially low-income people of color, to change their communities and public policies for the better. The Center trains grassroots organizers and organizations to build support within and outside their communities, understand complex public policy issues, and help local residents become active participants in democracy.

Sweet Honey members Aisha Kahlil, Louise Robinson, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Carol Maillard and Ysaye Barnwell wrote ARE WE A NATION? with Barry J. Eastmond. The song features a Spoken Word verse written by Yonas, Nitanju Bolade Casel and Carol Maillard. Yonas, the 2009 Billboard Songwriting Award winner for Best Hip-Hop/Rap Song, performs the verse.

Grammy Award winner Barry J. Eastmond, one of the most prolific songwriter/producers in R&B and Pop music, produced ARE WE A NATION? Eastmond has shaped over sixty gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums for some of the most important contemporary recording artists with cumulative sales of over 80 million copies.

“It was a real honor and thrill for me to collaborate with, and produce the amazingly gifted Sweet Honey In The Rock on such a relevant and timely song ARE WE A NATION?,” Eastmond said. "It makes a truly powerful statement about immigration and also challenges us as Americans to make the right choices.”

“We hope that ARE WE A NATION? will stimulate interest in and conversation about the Arizona law SB-1070,” Barnwell said. “We also hope that the song will foster an understanding of the law’s broader implications. We believe we are a nation that can create laws that bind this nation together rather than tear this nation apart.”

Join the Center for Community Change in the fight against hatred and discrimination and text NATION to 69866. To learn more about the Center go to www.communitychange.org. For more information about ARE WE A NATION? and Sweet Honey In The Rock visit www.sweethoney.com and www.facebook.com/SweetHoneyInTheRock.

Miles High Productions

JAZZ SAXOPHONIST HULON RELEASES SECOND CD “AFTER HOURS” SET FOR FEBRUARY 7 RELEASE DATE

ME AND MY SHADOW SET TO RELEASE NEW CD “SUMMER CYCLE” ON JANUARY 24 2012

SINGER-SONGWRITER BRANDON MCHOSE PLUGS IN AND ROCKS HARDER THAN EVER ON HIS NEW FOUR SONG EP LATE NIGHT

Heart to Speak and Perform at SXSW 2012

Elvin Bishop Rocks Redwood City at The Club Fox on December 17 at 8:00 p.m.

TOBY KEITH NAMED "ARTIST OF THE DECADE" AT ACAs "Red Solo Cup" Runneth Over; Featured On Glee

PROJECT GRAND SLAM RELEASES NEW COVER OF THE HOLLIES HIT, “HE AIN’T HEAVY, HE’S MY BROTHER” TO BENEFIT VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE

SONY MUSIC’S POPMARKET.COM PRESENTS COMPLETE ALBUMS COLLECTIONS BY THE GREATEST NAMES IN JAZZ

SOJOURN MUSIC RELEASE HOLIDAY INSPIRED SONGS “A CHILD IS BORN” SET FOR RELEASE ON NOV 22, 2011

JULES VERNE FESTIVAL HONORS ICONIC FILM LEGEND JOHN WAYNE IN HOLLYWOOD AT THE CINERAMA DOME

ETHEREAL VOICED SINGER, SONGWRITER AND PIANIST SHAUNA BURNS PUTS A COMPELLING FOLK-ROCK CELTIC TWIST ON SEASONAL FAVORITES WITH HER NEW RELEASE, “A W

TOBY KEITH DECLARES NATIONAL MEZCAL DAY OCT. 21

JOURNEY’S GREATEST HITS VOL. 2 SPANS HIT SINGLES, ALBUM TRACKS AND RARITIES FROM 1978 TO 1996

LEGACY RECORDINGS AND POPMARKET.COM KICKSTART HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING WITH THE NEW LINEUP OF THE COMPLETE ALBUMS COLLECTIONS

Hidden Beach Signs Jazz Legend Ramsey Lewis

Natalie Walker Covers Smashing Pumpkins With "Galapogos"

Australian Pop Star Guy Sebastian Reunites with Extra TV Co-Host and Friend from Down Under, Renee Bargh, at The Grove in Los Angeles

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Welcomes Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart for a Special Legends Series Program

Tyrone Vaughan Builds Country Impact From Family Style & Roots

Toby Keith's Mezcal Takes To The World Wild Web- Wild Shot Site Offers Interaction, Recipes, Fan Photos & More

NEW CD FROM RAY MANZAREK AND ROY ROGERS, “TRANSLUCENT BLUES” NOW AVAILABLE!

‘WHO’S THAT GIRL,’ - THE DEBUT U.S. SINGLE (FEATURING EVE) BY THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN IDOL WINNER AND PLATINUM SELLING SUPERSTAR DOWN UNDER

TYRONE VAUGHAN HITS RADIO WITH "DOWNTIME" JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER

MOBfest MOVES TO HARD ROCK HOTEL CHICAGO PROVIDES A MORE POWERFUL EVENT FOR CHICAGO’S MUSIC FANATICS

TOBY KEITH ORDERS "MEZCAL FOR MY MEN ... " Wild Shot Thrown Back Nightly In "Beer For My Horses" Toast

FIRST AUSTRALIAN IDOL WINNER AND PLATINUM SELLING SUPERSTAR DOWN UNDER, GUY SEBASTIAN, SETS HIS SIGHTS ON THE U.S. WITH ‘WHO’S THAT GIRL’

Natalie Walker Blends Pop, Electronica on Intimate, Revealing New Album “Spark”

NATALIE WALKER RELEASES NEW SINGLE “COOL KIDS” FROM UPCOMING ALBUM “SPARK” DUE OUT JUNE 7

NASHVILLE STAR ALUM SINGER DAVID ST. ROMAIN TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM IN APRIL

David St. Romain Releases “Twenty Years Late”

Sojourn Music Release Inspirational Album "The Water And The Blood: The Hymns Of Isaac Watts

TRACY NELSON'S "VICTIM OF THE BLUES" ON DELTA GROOVE RECORDS HEARKENS TO EARLIEST BLUES INFLUENCES

KELLYLEE EVANS wins 2011 Juno for Jazz Vocal Album of the Year

Heart Performing on The Ellen Degeneres Show on March 29 in Support of the Current 'Night At Sky Church' DVD and Blu-Ray Disc

Teen Artist Claudia Lee Releases Debut Song "It Gets Better" With New Music Video

Reality Not Fantasy - Louis Landon's piano driven singer/songwriter pop music album

Toby Keith brings Mezcal To The Masses

Las Vegas based band Forgotten Door Releases Debut Album “Unlocked”

Legacy Recordings Releasing Heart's Night At Sky Church

Restoration of Phil Spector's Catalog Brings 4 New Collections

Eleanor Fye Releases New Album “Love Stays On”

Hulon To Open For Michael Bolton on January 25th at Marina Civic Center

GEORGE MICHAEL’s FAITH THE ALBUM THAT MADE HIM AN ICON TO GENERATIONS CELEBRATED WITH THREE COMMEMORATIVE PACKAGES

Erika Jayne Tops Billboard "Hot Dance Club Play Chart" with lates single "One Hot Pleasure"

HEART ON MUSSELMAN'S APPLE SAUCE PRESENTS BRIAN BOITANO SKATING SPECTACTULAR

Erika Jayne returns to the clubs with 'One Hot Pleasure'

SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES POPMARKET.COM

BONA FIDE QUEEN OF THE CHARTS ERIKA JAYNE LAUNCHES PRETTY MESS RECORDS

BLUES ROCK RECORDING ARTIST KIRSTEN THIEN RELEASES THIRD CD "DELICIOUS" COURTESY OF SCREEN DOOR RECORDS

ASHMIN SKYY TO RELEASE “WRAPPED IN LOVE” ON NOVEMBER 9

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK HEATS UP FALL WITH ENCORE ROLE IN ALVIN AILEY’S DANCE THEATER’S 5OTH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE

What Nina taught Kellylee Evans

Blues Bytes: Bob Corritore Review

Erika Jayne in Orlando Style

BLOGCRITICS Music Review: Life in Between - Handful of Luvin

COSMO Presents Miles High Productions Chip Schutzman: Digital Marketing Strategies for Musicians

Junior's Cave: Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series

Heart's Red Velvet Car reviewed by Blogcritics

Handful of Luvin' - Life In Between review by The Ripple Effect

Heart To Release Red Velvet Car on August 31 on Sony Legacy

Richie Loop Performs at Jamaica’s 48th Independence Day Grand Gala

Handful of Luvin’ Release Eclectic Recording Life In Between

Heart - Red Velvet Car review by Backstage Axxess

ERIKA JAYNE ACHIEVES KEY BILLBOARD CHART DISTINCTION

Slightly Stoopid Headlining US Tour Dates w/ Cypress Hill and Steel Pulse

A RESPONSE TO ARIZONA’S IMMIGRATION LAW SB-1070 THROUGH SONG

FIRST AUSTRALIAN IDOL WINNER AND PLATINUM SELLING SUPERSTAR DOWN UNDER, GUY SEBASTIAN, SETS HIS SIGHTS ON THE U.S. WITH  ‘WHO’S THAT GIRL’